Integration versus Assimilation: Should Immigrants Keep Their Own Culture And Lifestyle or Adapt To The New Culture? Cultural Awareness Of Immigrants.

Integration versus Assimilation

Many have asked: Why is there so much pressure on Immigrants to blend in and become part of the society? How about multiculturalism? How about Diversity, Togetherness and Humanity? Why can’t we all just live together happily without anyone loosing themselves or their cultural identities in other to co-exist? These and many more are some of the questions that has surfaced in the wake of Immigration and globalization.

What are the reasons why many people are strongly against measures geared towards the ‘assimilation’ of immigrants in a new country? Is “Integration” better? I put the words “Integration” in quote because even when these programs use the word ‘integration’ on the fore-front, the end result appear to be assimilation. What are the problems with this? Is there any other way? Should Immigrants Keep Their Own Culture And Lifestyle or Adapt To The New Culture? I would be wrong if I say that there is a YES or NO answer to this. 

There is none. But we can and should strike a balance. How? Read on.

Growing up in a very cultural environment, I have been reminded many times to stay close to my cultural identity. I must admit though that some of these ‘identities’ I was very happy to leave behind as I evolve as a person, and find my own voice (in present tense because it is an ongoing process). I come from a large family where order was the rule of the day and culture was instilled in us from day one.

The elders of the family do not hesitate to call a family meeting and address your ‘un-cultural’ ways if you dare step out of line for just a second. In some serious cases, you may need to perform some traditional rites to ‘appease the gods’, and of course the elders because at the end of the day they will be the ones going home with the goodies. :D.

As funny or as unbelievable as this may or may not sound to you (depending on your level of exposure to other cultures), certain cultural practices in many countries are still highly upheld and maintained even if they may be deemed by persons from other cultures as uncivilized or even barbaric. Most times, the reason is not the features of the practice itself, but where it originated from or how it came to be. For example, many European countries (Finland, for instance) have their own cultural practices which those of us coming from very far away find quite amusing.

Check out this very crazy Finnish practice reserved only for the brave. :D. Though it is crazy, tourists and foreigners love trying it out.

Nevertheless, the question still remains whether a foreigner living in a new country is obligated to adhere to the cultural norms inherent in the new country. In fact, how far should they go with the ‘blending in’?

I guess this is where the concept of Integration and assimilation come into play. Come to think of it, the point of both Integration and Assimilation is to help an immigrant settle down successfully in the new country, even though the arguments on integration versus assimilation may make us think differently. This is one area of Immigration theories that I think a balance needs to be struck.

It is common knowledge that adjusting to the cultural practices you find in the new country and the way of life of the indigenes is a sure way to ‘settle down’. Now what happens to you as you try to do this? Do you assimilate into the new culture? Do you lose yourself in the process? Or is Integration best for you? How about the locals who will be forced to accept a foreign culture they know nothing about and just roll with it? Is this fair? What is just or right in this situation?

I just uploaded a new video on YouTube on Social Inclusion of Immigrants In Finland, and giving some reasons Why Most Immigrants Are NOT ACTIVE, using Finland as a point of reference. There are lots of questions surrounding social integration of immigrants as well as the benefits of ensuring that immigrants and international students stay in the country after graduation. Based on my survey, there are a lot of problems hindering the integration of immigrants and it is my belief that these are the major reasons why most immigrants do not participate or show up for ‘certain’ activities supposedly organised for their integration.

Here is the video. You can watch it later. Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic in the comments section of the video.

Honestly speaking, it is quite disrespectful to blatantly disregard the culture of the new country. Let us take for example Finland. Just like every other country, Finland as a country has her own set of norms and cultural practices that those who live here abide by. Foreigners, or immigrants are not exempted, and rightly so. 

THE PROBLEM IS NOT in observing the Finnish rules and norms or ways of doing things. That is expected as a mark of respect and also out of necessity. I am of the belief that every one living in a country MUST observe the norms and acceptable practices of the indigenous people. Some of these practices are laws that you must follow and observe.

And some of them are mere practices which may have no legal backing but engraved in the stones of time and culture, and you can’t just ignore them. You don’t have to practice them, but you have to recognize, accept, and take note of them in all relevant situations. 

THE PROBLEM IS in maintaining your own cultural identity even if it is totally unfamiliar to others. One of the worst things that can happen to any foreigner living in a new country is to forget who they are or where they come from; not in terms of geographical bearings, but in connection with your roots, cultural heritage and background. These things make up a huge percentage of who you are today.

No matter how much you try to integrate and adapt to new ways of living, especially western ways that are not common in your own country, you should never loose sight of your heritage.

The wisdom is in knowing where to draw the line or strike a much needed balance. By this I mean knowing what cultural practices to indulge in and enjoy. For example, Sauna is a cultural practice in Finland and it is loved by many foreigners (including myself). This is something most of us have to pay a lot of money for in spas back in our own countries, but here there is sauna in almost every residential building. So this is one cultural practices that many foreigners are more than happy to indulge in.

Another one is Laavu (Finnish winter tradition), and the Juhannus (Midsummer) celebration. I would have added Vappu (1st of May) fun day to the list, but in all honesty I think the Finns love Vappu more than the Foreigners. :D. (Just my opinion).

You also need to map out what practices to take with a pinch of salt especially if it conflicts with your strong personal beliefs.  (Note, cultural practices, not Law. You MUST obey the law). And it is absolutely necessary to put away some practices from your own culture especially if you have come to realize that they do more harm than good. One of the beauties of being a Foreigner is that you get to choose the best of cultural practices from both cultures especially when it comes to raising kids and teaching them life long values.

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