What is assimilation? Why is it considered to be difficult?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Assimilation is the process by which a subordinate individual or group takes on the characteristics of the dominant group and is eventually accepted as part of that group. Assimilation is a majority ideology in which A + B + C ? A. The majority (A) dominates in such a way that the minorities (B and C) become indistinguishable from the dominant group. Assimilation dictates conformity to the dominant group, regardless of how many racial, ethnic, or religious groups are involved. To be complete, assimilation must entail an active effort by the minority-group individual to shed all distinguishing actions and beliefs and the unqualified acceptance of that individual by the dominant society. The assimilation perspective tends to devalue alien culture and to treasure the dominant. Assimilation is very difficult. The person being assimilated must forsake his or her cultural tradition to become part of a different, often antagonistic culture. Assimilation tends to take longer under the following conditions:
1 . The differences between the minority and the majority are large.
2 . The majority is not receptive, or the minority retains its own culture.
3 . The minority group arrives over a short period of time.
4 . The minority-group residents are concentrated rather than dispersed.
5 . The arrival is recent, and the homeland is accessible.