Third Culture Kids Identity Formation through the Eyes of Erik Erikson and James Marcia By Amanda J. Rockinson Regent University VCA Convention 2003 © 2003 Rockinson

Introduce Yourself  Name  Population  TCK awareness  Symbolic object  Foreign travel; how it has affected you?

Overview of Presentation  Case Study  Define TCK  Review Identity Research  Overview of TCK Identity Development  Implications for Counselors

The Story of “Lisa”  Take time to read the case study.  Lisa is TCK.  Begin thinking about: What are Lisa’s issues/struggles? If Lisa came to you for counseling, how would you help her?

Who are TCKs?  A person  Who has spent a significant part  Of his or her developmental years  Outside parents culture  Develops a sense of relationship to all of the cultures while not having full ownership in any Pollack, D. & Van Reken, R.(2001). Third culture kids: The experience of growing up among worlds.Maine:Nicholas Brealey Publishing

Identity Research: Erikson  Adolescence (12- 18/24) is marked by an "identity crisis“  3 domains of identity: Faith Work/ Career Citizenship Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity: youth and crisis. New York: W.W. Norton.

Identity Research: Marcia Marcia uses the two Eriksonian concepts of crisis and commitment to define the four statuses: 1.Identity diffusion 2.Identity foreclosure 3.identity moratorium 4.identity achievement Marcia, J. (1980). Ego Identity development. In J. Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of adolescent psychology. New York: John Wiley

Observations about TCK Identity Development  Wilmer (2001)  Useem & Cottrell (1993-current) College of Arts and letters, San Diego State University and the International School Service  Jordon (2002)  True stories Aside: The decisions of TCKs.  Ender, Morton. (2002). Military Brats and Other Global Nomads: Growing up in organization families. Westpoint, CT: Praeger.

Suggestions: Why are many of the TCKs still in moratorium status?  Chronic rootlessness and restlessness  They are “cultural chameleons” and being open to all ideas  Unknown cultural rules  Compliance to rules/“delusion of choice”

Implications for Counselors  Understand the unique experiences of TCKs  Ask and talk about their assumptions and expectations for life  Psychoeducational and Process Groups  Identify mentor, preferably an ATCK.  Research

Activities 1.M&M activity- great ice breaker! 2.Symbolic Object- Ask each member of the group to bring an object symbolic/ important to them. Have each member share about the object. 3.Making Headlines - Global Identity 4.Who Am I Collage- Personal Identity 5.Shopping List Values – Value clarification: rank a list of values and describe ranking of values.  Parker, E. & Teece, K. (2001). Here today there tomorrow. Washington: Foreign Service Youth Foundation Publication

Activities 1.Who Are We Bingo- bingo cards that identify characteristics/values of group(i.e. speaks three languages; has experienced grief at leaving behind a friend) 2.The Cost Benefit Columns- make three columns: advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics of people living overseas 3.I Pledge Allegiance – What do I stand for? 4.A Collage of American Values 5.Roots

The End

References  Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity: youth and crisis. New York: W.W. Norton.  Ender, Morton. (2002). Military Brats and Other Global Nomads: Growing up in organization families. Westpoint, CT: Praeger.  Marcia, J. (1980). Ego Identity development. In J. Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of adolescent psychology. New York: John Wiley  Parker, E. & Teece, K. (2001). Here today there tomorrow. Washington: Forgeign Service Youth Foundation Publication  Pollack, D. & Van Reken, R.(2001). Third culture kids: The experience of growing up among worlds.Maine:Nicholas Brealey Publishing.  Smith, C. (1996). Strangers at Home. Bayside, NY: Aletheia Publications