What is Cultural

Assimilation?
The process by which a person or a group's
language and/or culture come to
resemble those of another group
Refer to both individuals and groups, and in
the latter case it can refer to either
immigrant diasporas or native residents that
come to be culturally dominated by
another society
Involve either a quick or gradual change
depending on circumstances of the group
 the process whereby a minority group
gradually adapts to the customs and attitudes
of the prevailing culture and customs.
interpenetration and fusion of ethnic
minorities into the dominant culture.
In case of classical assimilation, immigrants
and members of ethnic group are expected to
come to resemble the majority group in terms
of norms, values and behaviour.
 Assimilation, known also as incorporation,
appears in societies where the majority group
does not tolerate different ethnic or racial
identities.
As a result of assimilation, ethnic characteristics
of the minority can disappear. This phenomenon
is the opposite of multiculturalism, which
respects and promotes diversity in society.
 Full assimilation occurs when new
members of a society become
indistinguishable from members of
the other group
Immigrant group assimilation is often
disputed by both members of the
group and those of the dominant
society
Examples Of Cultural Assimilation
It has been found that between 1880 and
1920, the united states took in roughly 24
million immigrants
In the late 1980s, over 1.8 million Jews
emigrated to destination such as Israel,
United States, Germany and Canada
The beginning of the twenty-first century
has also marked a massive era of
immigration, and sociologists are once
again trying to make sense of the impact
that immigration has on society and the
impact it has on immigrants themselves
 American sociologist Milton Gordon has found
out that there are three models of assimilation in
the United States: Anglo conformity, the melting
pot and cultural pluralism.
Anglo conformity designates the case where the
minority group has to accept the norms and
values of the dominant group as superior.
The term melting pot describes a society in which
different ethnic groups form a new cultural
identity. The metaphor comes from the
eponymous play by Israel Zangwill, which became
a hit on Broadway in 1908.
In the case of cultural pluralism, described also
with the metaphor the salad bowl, ethic and
immigrant groups retain their cultural identity.
 Forms of assimilation include behavioural
assimilation, known as acculturation, and
structural or socioeconomic assimilation.
 Acculturation occurs when a member of the
ethnic minority adopts the cultural norms and
values of the dominant group. Instances of
acculturation include learning the language of
the host country or acquiring citizenship.
Hence, immigrants discard their own
traditions and beliefs and embrace the culture
and identity of their new country.
 Structural or socioeconomic assimilation, on
the other hand, depicts cases where minority
representatives are integrated into social,
political, economic and cultural circles of the
country. Through this kind of assimilation,
they can attain higher status, they have access
to good pay, prestigious occupation and they
enjoy the benefits available to the mainstream
groups.
 Racial differences

For example, white immigrants who arrived to the United

States in the 19th century were able to integrate in US
society. Meanwhile, this process was much more
difficult for non-whites, which included the efforts for
Americanization of Native Americans. In the 19th and
early 20th century the dominant majority in the United
States regarded Irish and Italian immigrants as inferior.
Gradually, they integrated into the host country and
the majority started to regard them as white.
Sociologists now try to predict whether 20th century
immigrants from Asia and Latin America will be able to
integrate in a similar way.
 Economic conditions
The economic upturn offers a number of
opportunities to newcomers, whereas
economic difficulties can slow down the
process of assimilation.

Class difference
Well educated, skilful and multilingual minority
representatives can more easily find their
place in the host country.
 Assimilation has been a major issue for the United States, because
of the diversity of early settlers and the subsequent large
immigration waves. Four out of five colonialists belonged to the
dominant group, white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, also known as
WASPS. Over the centuries, the white communities formed a
somewhat unified society. Non-white residents and new immigrants
however still differ from the majority group. For the past decades,
the number of population of non-European ancestry has grown
considerably. This is attributed to the fact that certain immigrant
and ethnic groups have a higher birth rate than whites. The change
in reality has required changes in education, history and identity
concepts.
 Institutions also play a lead role in assimilation
policies. For example, in 1946 Jewish
organizations convinced the New York City
Council to impose tax sanctions on higher
education institutions which discriminate
students on the basis of race and religion. The
Elements of Culture