What's Third Culture?

Serving in the United States Armed Forces is a decision that affects the entire family unit. The children and teenagers in this community form a unique culture that in many ways is alienated from the rest of society. This community forms what some sociologists call "third culture". The term refers to the mixed identity that a child assumes, influenced both by their parents' culture and the culture in which they are raised. The struggle teenagers and young adults face with this dynamic is when it comes time to decide which culture they identify with. This dynamic has always been true for children of immigrants as well as families that relocate several times due to work and now with the rise of technology many GenZ-ers are experiencing the same issues. In this episode, we talk with Melisha Bryant, a specialist in child development and family systems. She talks about the struggles she faced as a teenager transitioning into American life after being raised on military bases and how she was able to find herself. How does the way you are raised impact who you become? Who has the most power to shape our identity ? What do influencers need to understand about this?