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<p>Assimilation theories explain a process whereby newcomer and majority groups become similar. This paper revisits the meaning of assimilation and its complex link to its socioeconomic (SES) measurements. We ask what is assimilation, how do we measure it, and how do we know when it has been attained. We find that, in terms of concept definition, the meaning of assimilation has changed over the past century from ethnoracial passing within a group, to quantified SES mobility leading to passing, and, currently, to SES mobility. In terms of measurement, we find that the early iterations of the theory used ethnographic methods while the recent theories incorporate SES predictor variables. In terms of an attainment rate to demarcate when the assimilation outcome materializes, we find that such a rate has not been sufficiently theorized. As such, to strengthen the role of assimilation theory in engaging with theoretical and public debates surrounding the increasing diversities of the 21st century, attention must be paid to the evolving concepts over time, the varying predictor variables across studies, and to the under-theorized attainment rate. We propose directions by engaging the emerging historical longitudinal data and machine learning language models.</p>

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What is assimilation, how do we measure it, and how do we know if a group has assimilated?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月6日

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  • Aryan Karimi,
  • Rima Wilkes

摘要

Assimilation theories explain a process whereby newcomer and majority groups become similar. This paper revisits the meaning of assimilation and its complex link to its socioeconomic (SES) measurements. We ask what is assimilation, how do we measure it, and how do we know when it has been attained. We find that, in terms of concept definition, the meaning of assimilation has changed over the past century from ethnoracial passing within a group, to quantified SES mobility leading to passing, and, currently, to SES mobility. In terms of measurement, we find that the early iterations of the theory used ethnographic methods while the recent theories incorporate SES predictor variables. In terms of an attainment rate to demarcate when the assimilation outcome materializes, we find that such a rate has not been sufficiently theorized. As such, to strengthen the role of assimilation theory in engaging with theoretical and public debates surrounding the increasing diversities of the 21st century, attention must be paid to the evolving concepts over time, the varying predictor variables across studies, and to the under-theorized attainment rate. We propose directions by engaging the emerging historical longitudinal data and machine learning language models.