Cultural assimilation

Cultural assimilation is a complex social process. It occurs when a minority group adopts the values, behaviors, and beliefs of a dominant majority group. This process can change how a society functions and how people interact. Some people use the "melting pot" model to describe this concept. In this model, different cultures blend together into one. This is the opposite of multiculturalism, often called a "cultural mosaic." In a mosaic, many different cultures coexist while preserving their unique identities.

There are several ways to understand how cultures change. Cultural integration is a related term. It describes people joining a new society economically and socially while keeping parts of their original culture. Another term is acculturation. This happens through cultural diffusion, where groups change their patterns but stay distinct. Some assimilation is additive. This means individuals expand their cultural repertoire instead of replacing their ancestral traditions.

Assimilation can happen in different ways. Full assimilation occurs when members of a minority group are no longer distinguishable from the dominant group. This can happen spontaneously through daily contact. However, assimilation can also be forced. This is known as assimilationism when used as a political ideology. Governments may use policies to deliberately move ethnic groups into a national culture. This can be voluntary or involuntary.

History shows the difficult side of forced assimilation. During the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, many Indigenous groups faced this during colonialism. Dominant powers used many methods to change these cultures. They forced religious conversions and separated families. They also changed gender roles and divided property among foreign powers. They might even eliminate local economies or food supplies. These methods were often unsustainable. They frequently led to revolts or the collapse of the controlling power. Many groups eventually reverted to their native practices and religions.

In some cases, people use voluntary assimilation to stay safe. During the Spanish Inquisition, many Jews and Muslims accepted Roman Catholicism. However, many people still practiced their traditional religions in private. This allowed them to convince the dominant power that they had peacefully assimilated. Today, social scientists study how immigrants assimilate in new countries. They use four primary benchmarks to measure this. These benchmarks are socioeconomic status, geographic distribution, second language attainment, and intermarriage.

Language is a major factor in successful assimilation. A 2010 study by Bleakley and Chin focused on immigrants in the United States. They found that people arriving before age nine often speak English like native speakers. Those arriving after age nine have lower proficiency. This proficiency increases linearly with the age of arrival. Learning English well can improve income by over 33 percent. Research by Yikang Wang also studied international students in the U.S. He found that socio-cultural skills, or the ability to fit in, increase steadily over time.

Assimilation can also relate to a person's well-being. A study by Viola Angelini used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. It found a positive correlation between cultural assimilation and life satisfaction. This was true even after looking at wages and employment. The study found that immigrants who spoke the national language and identified with the culture reported higher satisfaction. This link was even stronger for established immigrants than for recent ones. As people spend more time in a new country, they often feel more satisfied with their lives.