Cultural assimilation represents one of the radical social processes that have influenced the history of humankind and the contemporary society in general. It is the progressive practice through which a people or a group of people albeit of different cultural affiliations embrace the practices of another dominant or host culture. Although assimilation is a common phenomenon that has been encountered in migration instances, its effects stretch way beyond migration where it affects politics, education, identity and social integration. Knowledge of the way societies change and evolve by the means of assimilation can be known and understood, which will aid in understanding multicultural coexistence in the future.
Cultural Assimilation Definition
The key element of cultural assimilation is the assimilation rules of various traditions and practices between the groups. Generally, it happens when minority groups settle in a new social setting whereby some dominant culture is already there. They can take over the language, way of dressing, eating habits or morals of the host culture as time goes by and they give up their own cultural activities progressively. Assimilation is however not always single sided. The impact of belonging to the globe is that the societies are also redefined as they adopt some of the aspects of the minority cultures resulting in mixed identities and new customs.
Assimilation is not the same process as integration and multiculturalism. Integration enables cultural groups to accommodate their culture in the wider society whereas multiculturalism focuses on coexistence without the need of conformity. By contrast, assimilation assimilates into a collective cultural unit.
Origins of the Assimilation in History
Cultural assimilation is not new and has been practiced since ages. Ancient empires like the Roman Empire, Persia and China incorporated this by extending their territories to include other people. In order to be stable, they usually convinced subjects to accept the language, laws, and systems of the empire. The same case can be seen during the colonial era where several native communities were coerced (or compelled) to integrate into the cultures of the Europeans.
Mass migration has in the contemporary period increased the pace of assimilation. Countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia have been historically shaped by successions of immigrants. Every generation makes adjustments as to how they still need to carry on the traditions of their ancestors, yet also need to fit into the larger culture of the nation.
Dimensions of Assimilation
There are a few dimensions of cultural assimilation defined by sociologists:
- Linguistic Assimilation: is central to the aspect of assimilation as far as language is concerned Immigrants tend to acquire the language of the majority so as to achieve success in education and employment. In the long run, young generations can lose their native language.
- Behavioral Assimilation: Adapting the social rules, practices and ways of life of the host culture, in terms of food, clothing and recreation.
- Structural Assimilation: Moving into the institutions of the dominant society, like schools, places of work, or political organisation, coming to share experiences with the rest of society.
- Marital Assimilation: Intermarriage between the dissimilar cultural groups which in most instances results in further mixing of the cultural practices and values.
- Identificational Assimilation: This can be described as a change in personal and group identity where the migrants start to identify themselves as belonging to the host culture and not just a reflection of their ancestral heritage.
Advantages of Assimilation
There are various benefits associated with cultural assimilation both to individuals and to societies.
- Social Cohesion: A shared culture can bring down barriers and generate unity amongst the different peoples.
- Economic Opportunities: By becoming flexible to the host culture, people tend to acquire more job, learning facilities and resources.
- Political Stability: With Assimilation, the political stability will be enhanced since there will be fewer or no cultural conflicts in multiethnic societies.
- Discovery and Development: The mixture of cultures in most cases creates new forms of cultures, food, and music to name just a few cultures which add to the general society.
Challenges and Criticisms
One problem with cultural assimilation is despite its benefits; it does not come without its problems. Assimilation is criticized because it may cause the weakening of heritage, where unique traditions and languages are being forgotten over time. Assimilation can take on a less allocative meaning (i.e. accommodation) to many minority groups due to this perceived cultural pressure or even erasure.
Also, assimilation is not necessarily fair. There is a possibility of discrimination against minority groups or barriers that will not allow them to integrate the host society altogether. This causes pressure and a sense of marginalisation. There are communities that are opposed to assimilation and instead, they opt to maintain their cultures despite the fact that they are making a contribution to the society.
Modern Perspectives
Today, the term of assimilation is commonly perceived in terms of globalization and multiculturalism. The cultures of modern societies are becoming so interconnected and cultural identities are becoming less rigid as was the case in the past. Most individuals have hyphenated identities; identities that reflect both heritage and national belonging; Mexican-American or British-Asian.
The changes have occurred in assimilation, as advanced technology and media have altered this process as well. Digital platforms enable the immigrant communities to stay in close contact with their heritage as well as interact with the dominant culture. Such a direction has prompted some other scholars to suggest that the process of assimilation is becoming more flexible and two way processes, with host cultures also changing in the face of immigrant influences.
Cultural assimilation in the future
Cultural assimilation will serve as one of the key issues as migration has been reshaping the global demographics. The key issue of the contemporary societies is in finding the right balance between unity and diversity-promoting the unification of values and engagement in the civil life yet acknowledging the existence of cultural differences. Policymakers, educators,and community leaders are key in helping that assimilation does not succeed at eliminating a group but making it part of a larger group.
The bottom-line is that cultural assimilation represents the power of mankind to adapt. It shows how cultures adapt as a result of their interaction, how culture is changed and redeveloped over time and how individuals bond themselves in foreign locations. By acknowledging the advantages and the pitfalls of assimilation, the society can develop a system that would allow diversity to thrive and create communities with stronger collective identity.
Conclusion
Cultural assimilation could be a positively or negatively determined phenomenon because it is the process that can be explained by the course of historical development, power and human relations. It is capable of constructing solidarity, potentiality, innovativeness and loss of heritage of cultural environment unless well done. The people will continue living in a globalised world with assimilation as a crucial aspect to the existence and evolution of societies. The wire to the future generations lies in ensuring that this change shall be inclusive, respectful and shall ensure the growth of each other.
