What are your views on assimilation and integration?

[lompardy]

In Western Europe, de facto, the people tend to believe that minorities should be allowed to live the way they always have been without being forced to assimilate (or whitewash) themselves, which is, in part, derived from the diverse and culturally plural nature of Europe (and this includes the religious influences on culture).

 

Often, there is usually an expectation that you are socially liberal, in that you assimilate into the national view of how you treat homosexuals or women, or even fight climate change or care for animals, but that you can keep your culture and live however you want.

 

I think that it's impractical to force minorities to assimilate into a foriegn culture. But since locally born will probably go to school and barely have any friends of their own ethnicity, and they usually have to try to bend  their own culture around the surrounding culture, I think first generation should be subject to the same too.

[Pinkika]

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

[peachtea]

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

[Deâ„“phina]

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

I always found that saying hilarious, considering how Romans were known for their openness to foreign customs. 

[PÅ«cha]

A normal regular thing. Not sure why it's become such a political issue, everyone does it when they move to new countries or areas.

[Kukkungie]

Assimilation is a problem because the minute your expect people to behave as you do, you create an environment where those who wish to value their own culture (whilst still integrating in to the current) will be punished for being different.

 

Assimilation is where you completely eradicate your own history and roots to 'integrate' into a social sphere. I dont know why this should ever be enforced onto people, when there are forms of integration which makes you a part of a community, whilst still being appreciative of the differences in said community. 

 

Its ridiculous to me that people must act the same, look the same and desire the same values for them to be accept to a community. The minute someone has different values or looks different, they'll be shunned and bullied because of this. This is obvious in many social spheres in schools, idk anyone would think assimilation would be best to help run society on a governmental level because all it does is segregate 'us' and 'them'. The 'when in rome do as romans' whatever is stupid. You can live in a country, and appreciate it for its worth without hating your own background. THATS integration.

[H e r e]

[benseac]

I'm of the mind that if you move to a different country, you should adapt to their customs, though that doesn't mean you throw away all of your old customs.

[KoreaxxLove]

Assimilation is a problem because the minute your expect people to behave as you do, you create an environment where those who wish to value their own culture (whilst still integrating in to the current) will be punished for being different.

 

Assimilation is where you completely eradicate your own history and roots to 'integrate' into a social sphere. I dont know why this should ever be enforced onto people, when there are forms of integration which makes you a part of a community, whilst still being appreciative of the differences in said community.

 

Its ridiculous to me that people must act the same, look the same and desire the same values for them to be accept to a community. The minute someone has different values or looks different, they'll be shunned and bullied because of this. This is obvious in many social spheres in schools, idk anyone would think assimilation would be best to help run society on a governmental level because all it does is segregate 'us' and 'them'. The 'when in rome do as romans' whatever is stupid. You can live in a country, and appreciate it for its worth without hating your own background. THATS integration.

You're taking it a bit too far. You don't have to hate your own background to assimilate into a new culture.

You can retain aspects of your own culture and assimilate into a larger national or regional identity. Shared values and goals help form the backbone of a nation.

[lompardy]

I always found that saying hilarious, considering how Romans were known for their openness to foreign customs. 

 

The Romans practically Romanized huge tracts of Europe. I don't get what you mean? Unless you mean that the Roman view would mean that foreigners tried to impose their culture on the surrounding culture.

[Kukkungie]

You're taking it a bit too far. You don't have to hate your own background to assimilate into a new culture.

You can retain aspects of your own culture and assimilate into a larger national or regional identity. Shared values and goals help form the backbone of a nation.

'Assimilation is generally defined as adopting the ways of another culture, Whereas integration is typically defined as incorporating individuals from different groups into a society as equals.' 

To retain aspects of your own culture, yet *integrate in to larger regional identity is integration. Assimilation is adopting a NEW culture in order to assimilate or be the same to others in a social sphere. Integration is the appreciation of differences within a social sphere. The way you're using the words is wrong

 

I agree you don't have to hate your own culture, but there certainly an abandoning of it to assimilate (not integrate) into a new one.

[Vtzu]

what 

[KoreaxxLove]

'Assimilation is generally defined as adopting the ways of another culture, Whereas integration is typically defined as incorporating individuals from different groups into a society as equals.'

To retain aspects of your own culture, yet *integrate in to larger regional identity is integration. Assimilation is adopting a NEW culture in order to assimilate or be the same to others in a social sphere. Integration is the appreciation of differences within a social sphere. The way you're using the words is wrong

 

I agree you don't have to hate your own culture, but there certainly an abandoning of it to assimilate (not integrate) into a new one.

You can still assimilate in how you fit into society and keep aspects of your culture. America is a society made of different cultures.

You can adopt a new culture and still have aspects of your own. I'm not using the words incorrectly. No one stops you from practicing what you want behind closed doors. You could still be assimilated into society. You're making distinctions that don't necessarily exist by dictionary-definitions in reality

[waterbender]

It's a given and happens naturally to a certain extent no matter what. But it shouldn't be forcefully pushed on people in a way that they should be punished, abandon their own culture/language, or be shamed into utter assimilation.

 

I'm biased, but I can put it in perspective from a Chinese-Canadian perspective. If you immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong for example, you should make an effort to learn cultural norms/customs, the English language, and integrate into the community as best you can. But it's also good to preserve your culture and be proud of it. I think it's about a happy medium. Canada doesn't have the best history of forcing assimilation and punishing those who were "different" (First Nations residential schools), and so history/being decent human beings should remind us that things are not black and white. It's not an us-versus-them thing. People should be able to navigate and interact with their surroundings willingly, but they also shouldn't be forced to hide/diminish their roots either. Native citizens should be accepting and willing to understand, whereas those new to the area should also be willing to learn and understand as well.

 

TL;DR It's about balance - neither is supposed to take over the other, nor should we force absolute assimilation onto others. But it is expected to a certain extent to be able to get along where you are living. You can keep your culture while also integrating into your new surroundings, appropriately and with respect, ofc.