Should we force immigrants to assimilate into American culture? This seems to be one of the most prevalent debates in modern times. To begin, let’s define assimilation. According to Merriam-Webster, assimilation is the process of incorporating individuals from ethnic, alternative groups and immigrant clusters into the leading or central custom. The tradition of the communal is that they reside where the incorporated group loses portions or take on features of the central culture.

Many will claim that assimilation is merely a part of socialization. Therefore, all immigrants should be required to learn the country’s language, dress like natives, and know the country’s history. The belief is that these three values will ensure an easy integration into American society. Even more, it will make an immigrant, well, American.

However, what does it mean to be “American”? Opposition to the former argument would claim that there is no definite idea of being American. Instead, Americans are a salad bowl of different cultures and backgrounds. Therefore, immigrants should only be required to display loyalty to their new country. But, is that enough?

There are others who argue that assimilation is not the answer — rather, acculturation is the better of the two. To them, assimilation promotes the abandonment of immigrants’ former cultures. It promotes uniformity. In the long run, this uniformity could lead to a loss of creativity and form closed-mindedness. In other words, assimilation could trigger a regression of American society. Though this point does speak truth, it is a bit far-fetched. Sure, there could be more tension among different ethnic groups, but complete intolerance is highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, we must admit that assimilation does require the abandonment of immigrants’ cultural foods, music, and lifestyle. In a scholarly article, one immigrant student claims: “I was pressured to transition from his succulent Indian lunches to the less appealing American ham and cheese sandwiches.” He just wanted to belong—to be accepted by his peers. Is this what America has come to? Have we developed into an ignorant society that judges others’ cultures? Unfortunately, some Americans are falling into this mindset due to social pressures from terrorism, Anglo-Saxonism, pride, and unemployment.

Therefore, Americans should stop forcing the assimilation of immigrants. Rather, we should be encouraging acculturation—the integration of another culture while maintaining one’s old culture. It’s a fair balance. This revolutionary concept could prevent consequences like loneliness, depression, home-sickness, and frustration.

In the end, we should consider all points of view. How would we, as Americans, adjust to life in China? We’d have a lot of difficulties learning Mandarin and adjusting to the Chinese lifestyle. We should be more considerate of immigrants’ cultures. The truth of the matter is that it is impossible to force someone to change if they are unwilling to do so. So let’s quit this futile effort and, instead, focus on how we can maximize immigrants’ greater global perspectives and skills into our American society.