Assimilation

Assimilation

In sociological and cultural studies, assimilation describes the process whereby a subordinate group or culture forsakes its own customs, values and identity to become part of the dominant culture. France, for instance, supports a model of assimilation which is very similar to the American “melting pot” theory. Immigrants are expected to subscribe to the political values of French society in order to become part of a harmonious whole. This is very different to what you will find in Britain, where different cultural groups exist alongside each other and continue to retain their individual identities and customs.