Did you ever really think about the implications on our identity growing up in a different country from the generations before us?

Crossing the boundaries of culture can present significant challenges for children as they navigate the experience of being immersed in one culture at home while encountering a distinct culture in their broader environment. This situation often results in varying expectations and role models, which can send conflicting messages about social norms and have a complex impact on the development of one's identity.

In this episode of "Refreshingly Human," Hannah engages in a conversation with TJ Wey about her upbringing in America as the child of immigrant parents. They discuss how zhe learned to selectively adopt aspects of zir family heritage and the dominant culture, emphasizing the following points:

• The profound impact of encountering racial profiling and micro-aggressions from a young age.

• The process of reconciling conflicting information about societal expectations as we grow up and its influence on our identity development.

• The significance of the #VeryAsian movement, which encourages individuals to embrace their Asian identity to the extent they desire and selectively incorporate elements from various sources.

• The changing landscape for multicultural children in terms of available resources that aid in integrating their diverse cultural backgrounds.

"My Mom would say that I was her retirement plan. That’s where I felt like I really had to unpick it. Because it’s really easy to say, 'Here are the parameters to be a good Asian,' and follow that. However, when it starts hindering you from pursuing your own aspirations, you have to ask yourself, 'Okay, which aspects of this framework aren't serving me, and how can I forge my own path?'"

TJ Wey, The Refreshingly Human Podcast, S7 E3