Assimilation

Assimilation

1. Patterns of Racial & Ethnic Relations P rofessor C hristine M onnier

2. What are patterns of racial & ethnic relations? Regular ways in which the dominant group treats the subordinate group(s):

3. Assimilation Patterns of racial / ethnic relations

4. Assimilation The process by which the minorities or subordinate groups take on the characteristics of the dominant group and are eventually accepted as part of it: A + B + C = A Conditions Large differences between dominant and subordinate groups; The dominant group refuses to accept minorities as equal; The minorities want to retain their own characteristics; The minorities are still concentrated rather than dispersed; The minorities are recent, with easy access to their homeland.

5. Levels of Assimilation - Cultural Cultural assimilation  acculturation Who?  Minorities Minorities take on the cultural characteristics of the dominant groups: Language; Customs; Clothing and appearance; Religion, etc. Anglo-conformity “Indian schools” (p.209)

6. Levels of Assimilation - Structural Structural assimilation  integration Who?  Dominant group Minorities gain acceptance through all social institutions and their formal organizations. Elimination of all forms of segregation (de jure / de facto).

7. Levels of Assimilation - Structural Elimination of all forms of discrimination (individual / institutional ): Educational Economic / workplace Political / voting Health / health care Marriages / family Criminal justice Etc… Affirmative Action

8. Levels of Assimilation - Biological Biological assimilation  amalgamation Who?  Dominant group Removal of legal obstacles: anti-miscegenation law Interracial relationships / marriage bans Obstacles in de facto residential segregation More widespread in Mexico and Brazil than the US.

9. Levels of Assimilation - Psychological Psychological assimilation Who?  Both Change in racial and ethnic self-identification Obstacles: Rejection by the dominant group More difficult if minority group members look very different from the dominant group members. Dominant group does not “see” its own ethnic identification

10. Biological Assimilation It is hard; It is work; It is not unilateral; It requires as much from the dominant group as the minority; It takes time; Different groups assimilate at different paces. Assimilation Cultural Structural Psychological Biological