20 important facts about military brats (backed up by research)
In the world of the United States military, April is the
"Month of the Military Child." It's coming up sooner than you think.
Military children (aka "Brats") are a distinct sociological subculture
and have been recognized as such for many decades. Children in military
families obviously face a lot of challenges their civilian counterparts will
never experience. This is not to say that one child is better than another, and
while the challenges are important to realize, the resiliency of these children
is just as important. Here are some facts and figures about modern military
children and who they are likely to grow up to be.
1. The term "Military Brat" is not intended as
derogatory and isn't just a slang term – Military brat is widely used by
researchers and sociologists and was adopted by the military brat community.
2. Since 9/11, more than two million military children have
had a parent deployed at least once.
3. Military families relocate 10 times more often than
civilian families -- on average, every 2 or 3 years.
4. When a parent is stationed without his family, the
children of the military member experience the same emotions as children of
divorced parents.
5. Children of active duty personnel often mirror the values,
ideals, and attitudes of their parents more closely than children of civilians.
6. A high percentage of military children find difficulty
connecting with people or places, but very often do form strong connections
with bases and military culture.
7. Military children have more emotional struggles when
compared with national examples. These struggles increase when the military
parent deploys. Military children can also experience higher levels of anxiety,
depression and withdrawal.
8. Research has consistently shown military children to be
more disciplined than civilian peers.
9. The perception that the country supports the wars their
parents deploy to fight has a positive effect on the mental health of military
children.
10. Military children are usually under constant pressure to
conform to what military culture expects; sometimes this is perceived as being
more mature, even if its only their outward behavior.
11. Strict discipline can have the opposite effect: children
in military families may behave well beyond what is normally acceptable. Some
develop psychological problems due to the intense stress of always being on
their best behavior.
12. The bonds connecting military communities are normally
considered stronger than the differences of race. Military children grow up in
a setting that actively condemns racist comments. The result is a culture of
anti-racism.
13. In studies, eighty percent of military children claim
that they can relate to anyone, regardless of differences such as race,
ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
14. Because military brats are constantly making new friends
to replace the ones that they have lost, they are often more outgoing and
independent.
15. On the other hand, the experience of being a constant
stranger can lead them to feel estranged everywhere, even if later in life they
settle down in one place.
16. A typical military school can experience up to 50 percent
turnover every year.
17. Grown military children are very monogamous. When they
marry, it is generally for life; over two-thirds over age 40 are married to
their first spouse.
18. Military children have lower delinquency rates, higher
achievement scores, and higher median IQs than civilian children.
19. Military children are more likely to have a college
degree and are more likely to have an advanced degree.
20 Over 80 percent of children raised in military families
now speak at least one language other than English, and 14 percent speak three
or more.
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