Living Abroad with Children Cultural Obstacles to Consider

Summary:

Young expatriates who travel abroad with their children in tow or those who might find themselves falling in love and marrying whilst living in Turkey, France, Belize or elsewhere often overlook one issue that can present big problems down the road.  This issue involves the cultural obstacles that quite frequently crop up when children are involved in an international relocation or are born on very different shores from their mother or father’s native land.

If you’re thinking of expatriating and children are already or may well be in the picture, this article about living abroad with children and the cultural obstacles to consider is for you.  Whilst cultural issues do sometimes present problems, parents who plan for them often find they are but mere bumps in the overall adventure we call life!

Living Abroad with Children and Problems that Might Arise

When a child is moved out of his or her native culture or is born into one that is different to that of one or both parents, it’s the little things that tend to weigh heavily on the adults’ minds.  Mum, dad or both might find themselves wishing their children could be exposed to: -

Holidays from their culture.  Special days throughout the year such as Christmas or Bayram that tend to make expats homesick can present a doubly big whammy when children are in the picture.  Everything from missing out on doing the decorations to missing out on songs that are traditionally of the season seem to magnify when its the little ones who are “missing out.”

Foods from their culture.  If you think food and culture don’t go hand in hand, think again.  Americans miss their steaks and cheeseburgers. Brits miss their fish and chips with vinegar and their curry.  Germans miss their bratwurst.  It’s a simple fact of life!

Television programmes.  Parents might even feel they are “depriving” their children of favourite television programmes from their own past if they are not shown in their new homeland.

The potential for cultural clashes always looms for expatriates.  It becomes even more so noticeable for some when children are added to the equation.

Overcoming the Issues

Whilst it’s quite likely finding holiday decorations at Christmas will be difficult in a Muslim country for example, overcoming the cultural issues that nag at parents isn’t as difficult as many might think.  Some of the ways to overcome the obstacles include: -

Focusing on the experience.  A child born to British Christian parents and reared in Muslim Turkey for example might not get to experience everything British, but he or she will get an education that many only dream of.  This give and take often works to a child’s advantage. Focus on the big picture – such a child will learn about different languages, different religions, different festive days and the way different cultures can work in harmony.

Compensation moves.  Little things like holiday decorations, DVDs and other special touches can be ordered.  These can help ensure a child is exposed to both cultures.  Creating special food dishes is also often quite possible.

Travelling.  Taking your child back to your homeland at special times during the year can also help reveal to them your culture more in depth.  Many American expats for example head home with children at Halloween, Thanksgiving or even during Easter and Christmas.

When children come in to an expatriate situation, cultural obstacles are almost certain to present themselves.  Parents living abroad who expect these and plan to compensate often get over this hurdle with few difficulties.

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