Is multiculturalism a better social model than assimilation?

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Religious Debates

19 Contributors
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Yes
53% of users

  • Multiculturalism is a more open-minded society, but only if it lacks a dominant culture.

    Multiculturalism allows for a more open-minded society. It brings together people with different views and forces them to work together and communicate with each other. A single-culture society tends to get a closed view of the world and has trouble accepting other cultures' values and customs. But, multiculturalism only works if it lacks a dominant culture. Otherwise, the dominant culture will always be fighting to enforce its own values, fearing that other cultures will influence or change it.

    Yes KnownEvan

  • A multicultural society benefits from some of the practices of each separate culture contributing to the whole of society equally; some mutual assimilation may be inevitable either way, but no domination by a single group should set the standard.

    The United States has a rich multicultural history, and attempts at dominant assimilation by this republic have in most instances gone badly for those the dominant culture attempted to forcibly assimilate, without taking the time to learn the non-dominant culture's rituals and history. Immigration of other cultures to the U.S. consistently benefits this nation, providing all of its citizens a bevy of unique skills to exploit. I do believe assimilation is inevitable, but not the kind where all who come to the U.S. have to change their names, diets and practices to seem "more American." Only through positive influence and equally shared cultural values has American culture become unique in this regard. It is more multicultural, with a slight hint of assimilation and a lot of social evolution, which influences the society as a whole.

    Yes ChillyColumbus36

  • The multiculturalism model is preferred to the assimilation or melting pot model because it allows individualism to flourish and it enriches a country culturally.

    America has long tried to use the melting pot model to mold newcomers into acting, thinking, and being like the then-existing "typical American." This has never worked. As immigrants settled into America they always tended to settle into communities and neighborhoods filled with people who were like them. This tendency had interesting effects. First, it preserved the rich and unique culture, habits, religious ceremonies, foods and dress of these newcomers. Although this was frowned upon for decades, in the mid-1900's we began to realize that these differences made us stronger, and certainly made us a much, much more interesting people. In addition to the injection of the cultural differences into our social structure, these newcomers brought new skills, new approaches to innovation. Any country that tries to "mold" newcomers into being what the existing citizens already ARE will miss out on an opportunity to learn from those immigrants. We don't need more of what we already have. If we deny newcomers their individuality, as a nation we will eventually stagnate.

    Yes CI3Iike

  • Multiculturalism is a better social model because of all we can learn from everyone.

    The United States of America was founded on multiculturalism. Most of our grandparents or great-grandparents came to this country from somewhere in Europe. They brought with them their strong beliefs as well as different cultural aspects of their homeland. One major example is the food we eat here. Most of it originates from recipes our ancestors brought with them to this country.

    Yes l0nerkatz999

  • Every culture has something to contribute.

    It's important to learn from and respect all the cultures that make up our country. Just as plants are hybridized to improve them, so do cultures grow stronger when taking the best from all members and making something new and better. It is important to note, though, that the needs of one culture do not override the general good; it is necessary to be careful here.

    Yes laceymarya

  • I believe multiculturalism is a greater social model than assimilation because without diversity, we have nothing to learn.

    Multiculturalism is a greater social model over assimilation because diversity is what our society is built from. Without diversity, America would not exist. Our society was built from an array of different people who all sought a better life. Today, America is still known as a "melting pot" for in any given place, you will see people from all walks of life.

    Yes OneyP34ch

  • Multiculturalism is a great social model, because it promotes peace and harmony.

    When people are forced to assimilate to a culture, it causes them to feel resentment, and they are likely to maintain their cultural heritage in a furtive manner. In a society where multiculturalism is embraced, all people are encouraged to practice their cultures in the open. This allows people from a variety of cultures to get to know each other, and what they are all about. In the long run this leads to a greater understanding, and peace and harmony in the community.

    Yes TaintedHamel

  • I am opposed to assimilation, I believe that unique cultural differences are what build a society and make it stronger.

    When people assimilate in to a culture they tend to loose their own cultural pride and traditions. You can be in a different culture and blend in with that culture while still preserving your own individuality. Its important to pass on traditions throughout generations so people do not forget where they come from. A wise man once said "you cant get to where your going if you don't know where you come from."

    Yes C0ImEIite

  • Multiculturism is a better social model than assimilation, because individuals are able to express varying degrees of individuality.

    Multiculturism is a better social model than assimilation in that it teaches others to be tolerant of different views. Multiculturism includes more than just religion and education. Cultures experience and view the world differently linguistically and cognitively. This allows us the opportunity to exchange ideas and find alternative solutions to community, as well as world problems.

    Yes CarIoBIacken

  • Multiculturalism is a better social model than assimilation because no one way of life is better than another.

    Multiculturalism is a better social model than assimilation because no one way of life is better than another. One can assimilate to a society that isn't deserving of it. With change and variety, we all learn from each other. Learning is in everyone's best interest. There is no good reason for us all to look, act, dress, think, and eat alike.

    Yes H0bi3Invader
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No
47% of users

  • There does not have to be one or the other, and there should be a combination of the two.

    Some cultural traditions are desirable and advantageous to the people, and they can be enjoyed forever. Other areas should be assimilated, such as education, work and hobbies. The society should be smart and keep the good, while letting go of the bad segregationist aspects.

    No DisillusionedGilberto67

  • Multiculturalism is not a better social model than assimilation, as it creates a divided society with no common beliefs or values.

    Multiculturalism is a terrible social model and the source of many of today's ills. Many western societies have tried this model by trying to accept and accommodate all cultures, no matter how different they were from each other or the host country's culture. The results have been a divided society where various groups of people share no common values and, thus, no respect for wider society. This leads to religious extremists, riots and criminality.

    No EminentBennett93

  • No, I feel that assimilation is a better social model, not only for the integrity of the culture that is accepting the immigrants, but also for security reasons.

    A nation and the people inhabiting it have their own identity. People migrating in from a different country should, up until a certain point, accept and integrate into the culture they have chosen to live amongst. In this way they will learn to respect the native culture and understand the people living within it. Another argument against multiculturalism is that cultures do clash. The effects of two opposing cultures meeting and conflicting in the nation that is accepting the two cultures, in addition to trying to keep its own, can lead to violence and instability. See for example the conflict in Africa after colonial powers reorganized the territorial boundaries.

    No R4yAnych

  • Assimilation is a better social model than multiculturalism, because multiculturalism implies competition between the cultures, while assimilation allows cooperation between the cultures.

    Assimilation is a better social model than multiculturalism, because multiculturalism implies competition between the cultures, while assimilation allows cooperation between the cultures. With multiculturalism, one culture will always be superior, while others are inferior. But, with assimilation, all cultures are equal. Assimilation encourages immigrants to seek like countries, creating less difficulty.

    No jackprague94

  • Multiculturalism takes away the identity of individual countries.

    I believe that multiculturalism should not go so far as to endanger the individual identities of different countries. This is one of the things that make the world interesting. Our country was founded on assimilation and I believe that it is still a good practice. Immigrants come to our country and others because of something that appeals to them there. Since this is true, I think it would be best if they assimilated into our established culture.

    No R0d0Ferdy

  • Multiculturalism is watering down the individual differences and uniqueness found in different nations.

    Multiculturalism is not a better social model because it waters down the uniqueness and individual differences that a nation possesses. It is much better for people to assimilate into the chosen society they are joining is better than trying to find of multicultural mix that takes away the individuality of the nation.

    No TasticBran

  • Immigrants who choose to make a foreign country their native new home should be prepared to accept the universal practices and languages of that country.

    Multiculturalism is a beautiful theory, but it isn't practical for many economic and social reasons. For example: A country should not be forced to write and print at its own cost, literature that pertains to its citizens in dozens of languages, when one universally accepted language is used most often. Companies should not be resigned to hiring bilingual or multi-lingual employees to make life more comfortable for foreigners who refuse to assimilate by learning the basics of a country's spoken language. If people are not willing to assimilate, then why are they establishing residence in a foreign land?

    No N3vinFace

  • When to many peoples ideas come to fruition, in a unstable state, it creates only more conflict.

    Middle eastern concepts are always given in changing leaders year after year in cases. Because of the differing ideas and opinions in a unstable region, you have to keep in mind that ideas can and will clash if there is nothing to promote the contentment of people. It also creates more problems, and stigmatism for the rest of a people for the few that are done. The problems of a few end up reflecting the values of the many.

    No Bear

  • Out of many, one, creates strength. Out of one, many, creates war.

    Out of many, one, creates strength. This was a Roman motto, and it became the United States creed. While diverse cultural understanding may come from those who leave home and join a new nation, creating separate, side by side populations in one nation does not help. Think of the Balkans, where each society disintegrated into war and then into their own feuding countries. Think of India, which avoided a massive civil war only by separating into India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - and still has border feuds with Pakistan. Separate and parallel societies within the same geographic area creates warfare, as each tribe either fights for resources or to merely unite its own people. Out of one, many, creates war.

    No Pir4And
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Is multiculturalism a better social model than assimilation?
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