When these third-culture children return ‘home’ after years, they are instantly labelled as Pakistani
KARACHI: In Pakistan, the issue of third-culture children is getting little attention by those who matter. Many people return to their homeland after spending years of their adolescence abroad with their parents. Known as third-culture children, these children develop an ‘identity crisis’ because of the difference of culture and social values. When these third-culture children return ‘home’ after years, they are instantly labelled as Pakistani. They are often faced with the question ‘where are you from?’ A simple question though, it assumes a whole different meaning when directed at a third-culture child. And the usual response is ‘My parents are from Pakistan, but I was born and brought up in London/Dubai/Toronto, etc.” Not quiet answering the question, yet not completely avoiding it either.
Safa Shahzeb
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2018.
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