MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—”THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Worldview is “how we see the world.” Cultural awareness, on the other hand, is “the ability of standing back from ourselves and becoming aware of our cultural values, beliefs, and perceptions,” according to the Culturosity Group.
How do kids growing up overseas learn the traditions and norms of their parents’ home cultures? Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t.
What American kid doesn’t know what the “Star Spangled Banner” is? Not every boy or girl from the United States, or grown man or woman, for that matter, knows all the words to the American national anthem. However, most of them would, and should, know WHAT the “Star Spangled Banner” is.
Was it My Lack of Parenting?
Perhaps it was my lack of teaching and parenting my children, while living “abroad,” about my own American roots and culture. In any case, our 12-year-old son, David, in the 8th grade, didn’t know the “Star Spangled Banner” in music class.
His friend actually relayed the story to me that afternoon. She said, “It was so funny today in music class. David didn’t know what ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was.” My mouth dropped open in disbelief.
My mind quickly raced back to American baseball games and other sporting events where perhaps David had been exposed to the song that represents freedom for my native-born country. I felt guilt rising in my mother’s heart, realizing that I had once again failed to teach my son about his American culture.
He knew so little before we arrived back in the United States last December. I had never taught my son this famous cultural song. How could he know? It certainly wasn’t his fault. To be quite honest, the thought of teaching him our anthem never even crossed my mind.
The Music Class Contest
David’s friend proceeded to tell me that his music teacher held a contest in class that day, testing to see which students knew the most words of our national hymn. As kids began to complete their guessing game, they quickly took turns raising their hands and shouting, “1st place,” “2nd place,” “3rd place,” etc.
David knew, as soon as the contest topic was announced by the teacher, that he was doomed for failure. Not hesitating any longer and desiring to get the truth out in the open, he courageously raised his hand and yelled, “Last place!”
He went on to tell his classmates that he didn’t even know what “The Star Spangled Banner” was. Yes, they chuckled, but David was used to that. That’s what happens to “Third Culture Kids.”
Who Are Third Culture Kids?
David Pollock, author of Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, coined this term, “Third Culture Kid” or “TCK” to describe a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture.
These TCKs look like they should fit into this culture, but they really aren’t from here. This place is not their “home.”
I can remember my older boys telling me about their first days in an American school, after a transition from living abroad. They would describe scenes in which all the kids would be together discussing things like American music, movies, restaurants, etc.
My boys would be clueless, having never heard of these names and places. In order to fit in, they would just nod their heads ignorantly, appearing to follow the trail of conversation among their peers. They didn’t want to look stupid by constantly interrupting and asking, “What’s that? What’s that?”
David could have done that. He could have played the guessing game and ended up “last,” the reason unbeknownst to his fellow classmates. Rather, he had the guts to laugh at himself and to laugh along with others.
He raised his hand and shouted out his ignorance . . . not his stupidity . . . his ignorance. He didn’t hide in his shame, but rather he announced his ignorance.
As a result, he now knows what the “Star Spangled Banner” is. He doesn’t know the words yet, but he will one day soon!
David holds an American passport. He also holds a European passport. David doesn’t know the words to the “Star Spangled Banner,” but he knows “La Marseillaise.” That’s the French national anthem.
David grew up in France, going to French soccer games where players and fans belt out the words of their country’s hymn. Now, how many American kids know “La Marseillaise?” Maybe only four . . . our four boys.
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—”THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever been in a situation or culture where you didn’t know the norms? How did you handle it? Did you hide it or did you let people know so that you could learn?
The next time you are with a foreigner who may not know the “Star Spangled Banner” or other cultural norms, reach out to them and help them along. Maybe they will teach you their national anthem too.
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
