Why might a child feel culture shock?

A child might feel culture shock primarily because they are accustomed to one culture and face another. This sudden exposure to a different set of customs, beliefs, and social norms can lead to confusion, anxiety, and discomfort. For children who have always been in a single cultural environment, encountering a new culture can disrupt their expectations about social interactions, communication styles, and daily routines. The jarring contrast between familiar and unfamiliar ways of life may lead them to feel isolated or overwhelmed, causing a sense of culture shock.

In essence, the experience is often driven by the stress of being in an environment where things are not as they once understood or familiar. This contrasts with experiences of enjoyment in learning about different cultures, which could indicate an openness to exploration rather than the discomfort associated with shock. Similarly, a lack of travel experience does not inherently cause culture shock; rather, it is the direct confrontation with a different culture that triggers these feelings. While preferring to stay in a comfort zone might contribute to resistance when faced with new cultural dynamics, it is the underlying difference in cultural experiences that is the root cause of culture shock itself.