Erasmus+ project: Social Challenges for Schools Today

1. Assimilation vs
Integration/multiculturalim

2. Assimilation
 Assimilation is generally defined as adopting the
ways of another culture and fully becoming part of a
different society.
 Assimilation believes that, for a unified society, all
minorities should adopt the dominant culture of a
country, and leave their own traditions behind.
 Everyone adopts dominant culture

3. Integration/multiculturalism
 Multiculturalism believes in a healthy respect for all
cultures, with no culture predominating over others.
 Integration is typically defined as incorporating
individuals from different groups into a society as
equals.
 All cultures coexist.

4. Assimilation
Pros
 National minorities may prosper, if they
adapt the dominant culture's language
and institutions, to improve their own
economic position.
 it leads to social inclusion of all groups,
and increases patriotism.
Cons
 The cultures of ethnic, religious, linguistic,
or national minorities may not receive
official recognition.
 This policy discriminates between cultures,
regarding one as superior and others
inferior.
 Discarding one's culture is not easy, and
may cause a backlash if this process is
enforced.

5. Integration/Multiculturalism
Pros
 ✔ All groups are free to follow their
respective cultures (a tolerant society).
 ✔ A diverse society is less likely to indulge
discriminatory behavior.
 ✔ Minority groups are inspired to contribute
to a society which respects their culture.
 All cultures coexist.
Cons
 ✗ Highlights the differences between
groups, causing ethnic conflicts
 ✗ It may lead to unfair stereotyping of
different groups
 ✗ This policy prevents unity, since
differences between cultures are
encouraged.
 ✗ Governments and schools may need to
spend more on translation services

6.  When people assimilate, they accept
the ways of the mainstream culture
and become a full part of the
community. Assimilation implies that
people, through education and
experience, can earn their way into
the main culture and be seamlessly
accepted as full members of their new
community.
 Integration suggests
boundaries. It is defined in
terms of equality. But in this
context equality indicates that
the main culture is obligated to
embrace minor cultures as
equal, even when they conflict
with the values and traditions
of the first.

7. While many nations have adopted only one of
these policies, their societies are most likely to
have developed due to some elements from
both.