“Cosmopolitanism is a loaded concept. It amalgamates Greek notions of citizen and Enlightment aspirations for world governance and supra-national citizenship [...]. ‘cosmopolitan groups will be in the forefront of establishing values, institutions and lifestyles which are less directly embedded within nation-state societies’ (Featherstone)” [i]
The TCK is one version of cosmopolitanism that in some cases can come pretty close to bringing together many of the aspects linked to more of a cross-cultural notion of citizenship.
Pink as mediators :
“Global nomads often serve as cultural liaisons and interpreters between U.S. culture and the rest of the world. They are the “prototype citizens of the 21st century,” according to Ted Ward, author of the 1984 book, Living Overseas.
In other words, TCKs have been brought up in the middle of an obvious conflict between a minimum of two cultures. This would explain how they develop tools to accommodate both sides as best possible. Regardless of the fact they sometimes feel they don’t fit in on either side [ii], their middle ground has its advantages.
White as rootless or alienated:
The paradox of being in close contact with multiple cultures is the feeling of standing out. It is commonly felt amongst TCK and can have its consequences. Many a TCK develop ‘a migratory instinct’. This reflects an inner restlessness towards the present. This will put a strain on their relationships, careers, education…[iii]
Cosmopolitanism can contrast this notion with the fact that in Pieterse’s words, that it can constitute a “therapy for parochialism”. So as the TCK tries to juggle with their constant mobility, the cosmopolitan agenda tends to encourage a separation from the center. Pieterse even argues that the ‘emancipatory perspective’ that cosmopolitanism yields is only to the benefit of the world majority. [iv]
Green as citizens with a global dimension in their lives:
The areas of study and work of a majority of TCKs point to the fact that they will seldom put their past behind them in their adult life. This may mean developing a profession that will permit them to go abroad again, or even simply one that facilitates their experience as background knowledge. For example, popular fields amongst TCKs are education, legal and medical as well as many self-employed professionals. Seldom do TCKs work in large corporations or government.[v]
These findings point to the fact that essentially global nomads keep a strong element of risk and independence in their lives reflecting their will to keep it open and exciting.
If TCKs are undeniably cultural ‘cosmos’, this labeling earns them advantages and disadvantages alike. The diificulties TCKs endure should be kept in mind as a backdrop to the idea of a cosmopolitan agenda. Questioning location over identity is pertinent one in light of this study of TCKs. It leads one to wonder whether the TCK is first and foremost a cosmopolitan or a TCK.
[i] Matthews, J. (2007) “Eurasian persuasions: Mixed race, performativity and cosmopolitanism” in Journal of Intercultural Studies, Vol. 28(1): 50.
[ii] Pollock D. C. and Van Reken R. Third Culture Kids. The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds (Yarmouth Maine, Intercultural Press 1999), 22.
[iii] Cottrell AB, Useem RH (1994). ATCKs maintain global dimensions throughout their lives. International Schools Services, 8(4).
[iv] Pieterse, J. (2006) “Emancipatory cosmopolitanism: Towards an agenda” in Development and Change, Vol. 37(6): 141-142.
[v] Cottrell AB, Useem RH (1994). ATCKs maintain global dimensions throughout their lives. International Schools Services, 8(4).
