Assimilation

Maxine Burnett-Campbell

Professor: Hiro Hyodo

Introduction to Sociology 100 Section 115

March 26, 2007

Essay # 2

Assimilation is defined as “the blending of the culture and structure of one racial or ethnic group with the culture and structure of another group” (Curry et al. 2005, p. 199). In other words, it is a condition in which you have absorption of minority group into an established or larger community, which presumes a loss of identity which now makes the newcomer different. With assimilation, the ethnic or racial group loses their distinctiveness and identity and now becomes more like members of the larger society. Assimilation is thus, the shifting from your own society to the society of where you emigrate.

Americanization is defined as “the process within American society in which minority group members change their behavior and in doing so become more like the majority group” (Curry et al. 2005, p. 201). This tells us that the United States changes the culture and behavior of minority groups, and minority groups tend to follow. For example, Trinidadians are accustomed to eating their cultural dishes, but after migrating to the United States you will find them dining at Burger King, or Hiop. Americanization is, changing the minority group beliefs or culture to become that of the majority group.

Melting pot is defined as “a situation in which the culture and social structure of both the minority and the majority change in such a way that a new, blended grouping emerges that combines some features of both groups” (Curry et al. 2005, p. 201). In other words, it is a condition in which people of different culture are mixed together (like an ingredient) so as to lose some of their unique identity and now becoming the final product of a more uniformed society. For example, the marriage of Japanese to a white American and having kids together. The child will now be an American with Japanese and American cultures and will be more culturally