Page 11 - ADU Voice Volume 3 Issue 2
P. 11
FALL 2023 · voice 11
Having to constantly clarify
and justify your nationality
becomes a tiring task, and
falsifying your identity for
the comfort of others fur-
ther confuses your sense of
self. Frequently, I alternate
between introducing myself as
either Pakistani or Pakistani-
American, but rarely as just
American. Most mono-cul-
tured people find it hard to
recognize that a nationality
and ethnic background do
not have to match to co-exist.
That is why I avoid referring
to myself as just American, to
avoid being falsely told that I
am not. This confusion does
not exist within SGIs, fur-
ther proving the difference
between the two groups.
Having been a second-gen-
eration immigrant, as well
as a third culture child, it is
easy to feel like an outsider
Furthermore, a sense of true belonging dis- among people who do not share the same
tinguishes SGIs and third culture children. experiences. While I used to think of my
Helping others understand who I am, or my complicated background as a liability, I now
national identity, is complicated to do with- consider it a defining quality that has given
out causing social discomfort. However, it is me many unique strengths. My exposures
unavoidable, especially since third culture have amalgamated into a unique outlook,
children are a rapidly growing group. For and I am confident such experiences will
a second-generation kid, explaining their allow me to provide valuable and insightful
background is simple. Most people opt for contributions in all future conversations. If
identifying simply with their nationality, ever in the future I find myself living in new
while others add the country of their parents’ cultural environments, I now know that I can
origin. For third culture children, people fully embrace them without compromising
recognize their identity based on ethnicity. any part of my identity.
