The Disconnected American Kid
April honors military brats, the kids of those who serve in the armed forces. A distinct lifestyle, in fact, classified a subculture, the life of the military brat is unique, with both bad and good qualities that shape kids in both good and bad ways. Researching this topic, I found so much more information than I had expected, starting with the origins of the term "military brat" and leading on to a related term, "third culture kid". I decided to look at what these two types of subcultures have in common. Brat or TCK? First, let's talk about the military brat. It's a common misconception that this term was one given by outsiders to the children of those serving in the armed forces and that it has negative connotations. The truth is that the term is one the brats chose for themselves and they hold it dear. The TCK, or third culture kid, is a child who lives in a different culture from the one of their parents or the one of the country listed on thei