TCKs as the "New Normal" Prototype

Over the past few years, Ruth Van Reken and I have been working on a concept that we call hidden diversity. I would like to invite my readers to check out a blog that Ruth and I have started to provide a forum to discuss thoughts and ideas about this concept.

Ruth highlights in her January 4, 2008 post, as those who have grown up ourselves, raised our children, and lived our professional and personal lives among many different cross-cultural worlds both in the US and internationally, and we believe this discussion is so vital to describing and finding language for the "new normals" a cross-cultural lifestyle creates for so many in today's globalizing world. For example, I have discovered while traveling the globe to speak on issues related to Third Culture Kids (TCKs) that many in my audience will come up and say "I relate completely to the profile you describe for TCKs, but I never grew up the way my [child, student, employee] is (or did). Am I allowed to apply some of these things to my own life?"

If you would like to read more about our thoughts on this concept, please visit, Hidden Diversity in a Globalizing World.

Also, while shamelessly plugging my "HIdden Diversity"" blog, I would also encourage you to check out A Home for Third Culture Kids. I recently discovered this popular blog, was created by a young TCK. It is loaded with lots of information and discussions about being a TCK/CCK. Check it out -- http://www.tckid.com.

Comments

[Michelle Donnan]

Is there or has there been a coordinated effort to have/host a real time in person conference/event -- with break out sessions, etc.? I have been searching and searching for such a thing and with the right publicity and planning I believe I am not the only one who would find "I am not the only one" but those interested in doing "research" on the phenomena, those who were and forever will be TCKs and brats could gain so so much, from such an event. I used to work for an event planner on the Department of the Army level and would be happy to contribute what I know about event planning for someone interested in building planning committee/team.

Please share this with as many as you know -- PLEASE. I believe we deserve this and there is no reason to overlook this opportunity. Also have experience in fundraising and would even lobby DoD or other Federal types for special rates and help to make it happen.

I would love to send a proposal to my old "family" and others.