Identities Blur for 'Third-Culture Kids'

By Darcia Harris Bowman

Elizabeth Dunbar calls England home because she was born there, spent four years of her life in that country, and visits at least once a year with her parents. But you'd never know it from listening to her talk.

After just three years of attending a private school in Indianapolis, the 7th grader can carry on a conversation without a trace of her parents' thick British accents. She sounds like any other American child, which is exactly the way she wants it when she's in the United States. When in London—well, then it's all right to sound English.

"I just want to fit in," Elizabeth said. "I don't like to be pink...