Assimilation is one of the common phenomena in the modern age. This phenomenon refers to a process during which a minority group adopts the behaviors, values, rituals, and beliefs of the majority of the host society or country. In this article, we will introduce you to this concept.
Types of assimilation
The term cultural assimilation describes immigrants who have migrated to new places. However, it is sometimes used to describe indigenous groups of societies. In general, assimilation is divided into three categories.
1. Forced cultural assimilation
Throughout history, many attempts have been made to force minorities to assimilate culturally. The forced assimilation of the natives was more common during the colonial era of the Europeans from the 18th to the 20th century. Colonial policies in North and South America, Australia, Africa, and Asia often forced the natives to do such things:
- change of religion;
- separating children from their families;
- Converting public property into salable land;
- removing access to local food;
- Weakening the local people’s economy and undermining gender roles by transferring responsibility for agriculture or other productive work from women to men.
Forced cultural assimilation occurs quickly and is accompanied by force and threats of violence. This method is rarely successful and usually has lasting adverse consequences for the receiving culture.
2. Voluntary assimilation
Although assimilation usually occurs under pressure from the dominant culture, it has also happened voluntarily throughout history. One of the historical examples of complete or voluntary assimilation dates back to the late 14th and 15th centuries in Spain. At the time, the Inquisition caused many Muslims and Jews to respond to religious persecution by voluntarily converting to Roman Catholicism. At that time, the Muslims who accepted the Christian religion, but held their religious ceremonies in secret, were called “Morisco.” The Jews who were forced to do this were called “Maranos.”
Another example of voluntary cultural assimilation occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries when millions of Europeans immigrated to the United States of America. At the time, the ability to transcend their own culture was essential for fanatical patriotic groups like the Know Nothing Party, which was part of the dominant Anglo-Protestant culture.
It is usually thought that voluntary assimilation took place at that time among immigrants of European descent, but based on research, the probability of a relatively different theory being correct is higher. According to a study conducted in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a historical, cultural change occurred between American ethnic and racial groups in the 18th and 19th centuries.
However, this cultural assimilation happens over time and during different generations. Voluntary assimilation is often a reaction to pressure from the dominant culture. Minorities use this method to maintain their security.
3. Acculturation
In this form of assimilation, minorities accept some of the dominant or majority group’s beliefs, customs, or behaviors but still retain some of their cultural traditions and customs.
What do the supporters and opponents of cultural assimilation say?
People are often encouraged or pressured to assimilate their culture with others. However, their cultural changes are inevitable. Indigenous, ethnic or immigrant minority groups usually change or hide their cultural elements, such as language, food, clothing, and religious practices unfamiliar to the host society, to adopt the dominant culture’s social values and behaviors. Supporters of assimilation believe this will reduce conflicts, help the cohesion of the national identity, and provide more social and economic opportunities to the minority group. However, not everyone agrees with this opinion.
Opponents of cultural assimilation say that this event causes the loss of culture and history, increases discrimination and violence, and damages people’s dignity and self-confidence. Assimilation may be an easy solution, but it leads to more problems.
Ideas related to cultural assimilation
At the beginning of the 20th century, American sociologists proposed the idea of assimilation for the first time in the world. These views are divided into three categories.
1. Classical theory
This view is also called the “melting pot” theory. The followers of this theory point to a sequential process in which each generation becomes more like the dominant culture than the previous generation. The children of immigrants may retain some of the traditions of their parents. Still, the ages after that will probably lose the cultural elements of their grandparents, and eventually, all will turn to the same dominant culture.
This theory has been criticized. Critics say that the melting pot only happens if the mainstream and the dominant culture can be easily identified.
2. The theory of ethnic-racial deprivation
This view sees assimilation as a process based on different factors such as race, ethnicity, and religion. Depending on where one is from, one may easily be affected by the process of relative assimilation. Still, for others, who are usually non-white immigrants, racism and xenophobia make it much more difficult. Learning the language and adhering to the dominant cultural values do not help immigrants who face severe discrimination. This process will have significant personal and social consequences when some groups are superior and others are disadvantaged.
3. The theory of multipart assimilation
The followers of this view believe that immigrant groups assimilate with different parts of society. Factors such as social and economic status determine which sector immigrants have access to when they enter the host country. Some turn to classical assimilation, while others assimilate to poorer sections of society with fewer opportunities.
In this theory, a third state is also imagined. In this case, the individual retains many of his cultural values and traditions but economically assimilates with the successful sections of the society. Sociologists who believe in multipart assimilation mainly examine the issues of the second generation of immigrants.
Cultural assimilation; good or bad?
Although assimilation can help immigrants and ethnic minorities feel more secure or accepted by the dominant culture, expert research on its effects has produced mixed results. An example is the research that was conducted in 2011 about the impact of cultural assimilation on immigrant teenagers in the United States of America. This research showed that people who live in non-deprived areas have more educational achievements and psychological well-being. In contrast, assimilation has negatively affected immigrant children living in poorer areas.
Another study about immigrant families in the same country has shown that the unemployment rate is higher among those with foreign names. They often do not complete their education, earn less, and are more likely than others to marry foreigners. In this research, more attention has been paid to the mental well-being of immigrants. This research showed that assimilation might lead to immigrants losing their identity and creating significant stress. These people’s problems range from homesickness to depression and severe mental illnesses.
In addition, migration may lead to “mourning or lack of culture” for the individual. Cultural mourning is a sadness caused by the loss of culture and, in fact, the central part of a person’s identity. This problem may worsen by losing the primary cultural characteristics such as language, traditions, customs, and food. It is also possible that a person who tries to communicate with his family members in the country of origin will feel more alienated than before.
Positive effects of cultural assimilation
- Immigrants may feel more secure and consider themselves to belong more to the dominant culture.
- Immigrants who experience assimilation have a better life and mental health status.
Negative consequences of assimilation
- Those who are among the minority groups of society may suffer from anonymity.
- Minorities struggle with psychological problems due to losing or alienating their cultural strengths.
biculturalism; An alternative to assimilation
Voluntary cultural assimilation is necessary if success in the dominant culture requires following it, and becoming more like this culture is beneficial for the individual. As historical examples of forced assimilation show, the demand for sameness is closely related to forced cultural assimilation, while successful assimilation is related to racial beliefs. On the other hand, not assimilating with the dominant culture may lead to social isolation, loss of economic opportunities, and similar issues. In this situation, what should be done? Is there another way besides assimilation?
Bicultural psychology experts consider it a suitable alternative for cultural assimilation. Biculturalism means that a person combines a culture’s heritage with his own lived experiences. Biculturalism as a fusion of cultures can replace the combination of two cultures or the feeling of the cultural gap in people. The advantages of biculturalism compared to cultural assimilation are:
- more self-esteem ;
- less anxiety and depression;
- Better family relationships.
People who experience assimilation may experience a problem called the “immigrant paradox.” Instead of voluntary assimilation, elements of multiple cultures can be integrated into one another to create a unique culture that satisfies everyone.
