Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Introduction

Nowadays, in the age of overall migration, it is particularly critical to examine the mechanisms of such processes as assimilation and pluralism. The paper at hand is, thereby, aimed at analyzing the relevant concepts on the basis of the two readings elucidating these problems.

Body of text

First and foremost, it is essential to note that such phenomena as assimilation and pluralism are closely interconnected as they both deal with the aspects of ethnicity and its integration into a new environment. Marger notes that both concepts have a similar dimension structure regardless of their opposite character. Thus, according to the author, pluralism, as well as assimilation, has cultural and structural dimensions (Marger 172). One might, consequently, assume that a successful assimilation reduces the expression of pluralism.

The analysis of the readings makes one suggest that the process of assimilation is more beneficial for the host society. Hence, the minority groups adopt the norms and the traditions of the locals so that the latter are enabled to preserve the habitual environment. Meanwhile, from the migrants’ perspective, the process of assimilation might be regarded as destructive. Thus, for example, Waters and Ueda point out that one of the principal traits of the US assimilation policy is “the absence of a positive role for the ethnic or racial group” (130). The unwillingness of the locals to get acquainted with the cultural traditions of the minority groups leaves the former no other choice but to neglect their roots and begin the lives from scratch.

One believes that the underestimation of the cultural significance of the “outside” communities results in the extension of pluralism. Whereas some ethnic groups willingly adopt the new rules and mentality, other minorities show reluctance in giving up their background. Hence, Marger provides an example of Euro-Americans and racial-ethnical groups. According to the author, the first group is not likely to experience any problems with adaptation, while the latter tends to struggle for the preservation of their ethnic traditions (Marger 173).

As a result, more and more minority groups tend to express resistance to the complete adaptation of new rules. Waters and Ueda support this idea saying that immigrant groups are “no longer exclusively focused on assimilation” (135). Thereby, one might suppose that the minorities are likely to strengthen their community ties and relations in the future perspective.

Finally, it is essential to note that another reason for ethnical groups to prefer pluralism to assimilation, in the current context, is the fact that they do not inevitably start “at the bottom of the labor” now (Waters and Ueda 127). According to the specialists, assimilation is more typical of the middle-class groups that, on the one hand, do not possess enough financial freedom to feel independent of the host community, and, on the other hand, have a relatively favorable background to hope for a successful adaptation. The authors point out that a large percentage of immigrants today, come to the USA with a substantial financial base that means they do not have an urgent need to be integrated into the cultural and traditional environment of the host country (Waters and Ueda 128).

Conclusion

The analysis of the relevant readings makes one suppose that there is a tendency that implies gradual prevalence of pluralism over assimilation in the modern society. Minority groups do not eagerly give up their roots due to different factors. Some of them cannot do that because of their religious beliefs, others are financially independent, and some communities are too disadvantaged to make any attempts to get integrated.

References

Marger, Martin. Race and Ethnic Relations, Belmont, California: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.

Waters, Mary, and Reed Ueda. The New Americans, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2007. Print.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2020, June 15). Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-and-ethnic-pluralism/

Work Cited

"Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism." IvyPanda, 15 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-and-ethnic-pluralism/.

References

IvyPanda. (2020) 'Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism'. 15 June.

References

IvyPanda. 2020. "Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism." June 15, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-and-ethnic-pluralism/.

1. IvyPanda. "Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism." June 15, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-and-ethnic-pluralism/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Cultural Assimilation and Ethnic Pluralism." June 15, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-and-ethnic-pluralism/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1