Ruth Hill Useem
Encyclopedia
Ruth Hill Useem was an American sociologist
and anthropologist who introduced the concept of Third Culture Kid
(TCK) to describe children who spent part of their developmental years in a foreign culture due to their parents' working abroad. Her work was the first to identify common themes among various TCKs that may affect them throughout their lives. After her retirement in 1985, Dr Useem focused her research on Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs).
Third Culture Kids include military brat
s, missionary kids, diplomatic kids, and business kids. Many books have been written on Third Culture Kids and "Global Nomad
s" based upon the concept originally proposed and defined by Dr. Useem.
Ruth Useem graduated with a PhD in sociology and anthropology
from the University of Wisconsin
in 1947. She taught at Michigan State University
from 1952 to 1985.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and anthropologist who introduced the concept of Third Culture Kid
Third culture kid
Third culture kid is a term coined in the early 1950s by American sociologist and anthropologist Ruth Hill Useem "to refer to the children who accompany their parents into another society". Other terms, such as trans-culture kid, are also used by some. More recently, American sociologist David C...
(TCK) to describe children who spent part of their developmental years in a foreign culture due to their parents' working abroad. Her work was the first to identify common themes among various TCKs that may affect them throughout their lives. After her retirement in 1985, Dr Useem focused her research on Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs).
Third Culture Kids include military brat
Military brat
A military brat describes people who spend their childhood or adolescence while a parent serve full-time in the armed forces, and can also refer to the unique subculture and lifestyle of American military brats, the term refers to both current and former children of such families.Lifestyle: The...
s, missionary kids, diplomatic kids, and business kids. Many books have been written on Third Culture Kids and "Global Nomad
Nomad
Nomadic people , commonly known as itinerants in modern-day contexts, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. There are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. Many cultures have traditionally been nomadic, but...
s" based upon the concept originally proposed and defined by Dr. Useem.
Ruth Useem graduated with a PhD in sociology and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
from the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1947. She taught at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
from 1952 to 1985.