"Strangers in a Strange Land" : Assessing the Experience of Latter-day Saint Expatriate Families
BYU Studies
2006
45
no.4
2006
25-45
Toronto focuses on examining both the positive and negative impact that expatriate LDS families experience from living abroad primarily in developing countries. He specifically focuses on the effects of expatriation and repatriation on children. He uses the terms Global Nomads or Third Culture Kids (TCKs) to describe children who spent a major portion of their childhood outside their parents' native culture. As a result of their experience abroad, Toronto believes LDS expatriate youth frequently lack a clear sense of religious and national identity and often develop a sense of being spiritually, culturally, and socially rootless. He uses anecdotes to illustrate the profound impact of LDS families time abroad.