'Third Culture Kids' - Being a TCK

Noted by many of the panelists and people that contributed to this project, many younger generations of Japanese Americans share the experience of being a ‘third culture kid’ – unable to feel 100% part of either their American or Japanese identity, thus creating this ‘third culture.’ From being unable to speak Japanese and not being taught the language by their parents at home, to not knowing much about their own cultural identity and the history of Japanese American incarceration which might have involved their ancestors. This has led to a community of younger generations of Japanese Americans forming a community culture of being TCKs; motivating them to learn more about the history of Japanese American incarceration, and even to learn more about the Japanese culture. 

A Third Culture Kid (or Third Culture Individual, read more here) is a someone who was not raised in their parents' original culture, but may not fully identify with the current culture they live in. The term 'third culture' is defined by the mix and struggles of identifying with either or neither culture (their parents' and the culture of the place they live in) and therefore creates a third culture. It is also term used to refer to certain traits that neither culture have but are commonly found among TCKs. [16]

To this day, many younger generations may struggle with this sense of being a TCK, which leads to a new culture of the younger generation looking for their history and sense of identity. Many people who are American of another ancestry may face the same difficulties and confusion, which only highlights the importance of creating spaces that allow for Americans of other ancestries to look for their history. For nisei, sansei, and younger generations, it is thanks to the Japanese American community and organizations that work to preserve it that they are able to learn more. The TCK community has grown in the Japanese American community, and has been able to look for a sense of belonging thanks to the Japanese American community and their similar experiences to growing up in a different culture.