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In the sociology, assimilation is the process of integration whereby immigrants, or other minority groups, are "absorbed" into a generally larger community. A region where assimilation is occurring is sometimes referred to as a "melting pot". Assimilation refers to greatly reducing differences in a population over time so that individuals do not perceive a difference between themselves and those around them.
Assimilation can be voluntary, which is commonly the case with immigrants, or forced upon a group. Where national minorities are strongly urged to assimilate, there often is a lot of resistance.
Immigration
Socially pressured to adapt, the immigrant is generally the one who takes the steps to integrate the new environment he is in. Learning the language of the country or region, making new friends, new contacts, finding a job or going to school is all that is needed. The adaptation is made more difficult when the immigrant does not speak the language of his or her new home.
Minority cultures
Assimilation can have negative implications for national minorities or aboriginal cultures, in that after assimilation the distinctive features of the original culture will be minimized and may disappear altogether. This is especially true in situations where the institutions of the dominant culture initiate programs to assimilate or integrate minority cultures.
Assimilation is or has been the official language policy of many countries around the world, for better or for worse.
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