Milton Gordon’s Seven Phases of Assimilation: A Critical Look at Native American Experiences

Milton Gordon’s seven-phase assimilationist perspective, while influential in the field of sociology, has been criticized for its one-dimensional approach to understanding the complex realities of cultural integration. This paper examines Gordon’s model, its applicability to Native American assimilation, and its shortcomings, highlighting the unique challenges and complexities faced by Indigenous communities.

Gordon’s Seven Phases of Assimilation:

Gordon’s model proposes a linear process of assimilation, with each stage building upon the previous:

1. Cultural Assimilation:Adopting the dominant group’s cultural patterns, including language, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
2. Structural Assimilation:Integration into the social institutions of the dominant group, such as education, employment, and housing.
3. Marital Assimilation:Intermarriage between members of the minority and dominant groups.
4. Identification Assimilation:Feeling a sense of belonging and identification with the dominant group.
5. Attitude-Receptional Assimilation:The absence of prejudice and discrimination towards the minority group by the dominant group.
6. Behavior-Receptional Assimilation:The absence of discrimination in interpersonal relationships.
7. Civic Assimilation:Full political and social integration into the dominant group.

Native American Assimilation: A Complex Reality:

The history of Native American assimilation in the United States is marked by forced policies and cultural suppression. While Gordon’s model may offer a framework for analyzing some aspects of Native American experiences, it fails to capture the nuances and the deeply ingrained historical trauma that has shaped Indigenous communities.

To what extent have Native Americans followed each of the seven phases?

• Cultural Assimilation:Forced assimilation policies, such as the removal of children from their homes and placement in boarding schools, were designed to erase Indigenous languages and cultures. While some Native Americans have adopted aspects of dominant culture, many have actively resisted assimilation and maintained their cultural identities.
• Structural Assimilation:Limited access to education, employment opportunities, and housing has hindered structural assimilation for many Native Americans. Historical dispossession of land and ongoing economic disparities continue to impact their integration into mainstream society.
• Marital Assimilation:Intermarriage rates among Native Americans vary significantly depending on location and tribal affiliation. While intermarriage is becoming more common, many Indigenous communities place high value on preserving their cultural traditions and maintaining tribal identities.
• Identification Assimilation:The ongoing struggle for recognition of sovereignty and self-determination for Native American tribes indicates a complex relationship with the dominant society. Many Indigenous people feel a strong sense of belonging to their tribes and nations, while also experiencing a degree of cultural dissonance.
• Attitude-Receptional and Behavior-Receptional Assimilation:Prejudice and discrimination continue to plague Native American communities. Systemic racism, stereotypes, and the erasure of Indigenous histories contribute to ongoing challenges in attitude and behavior receptivity.
• Civic Assimilation:While Native Americans have achieved significant legal and political gains, including the recognition of tribal sovereignty, they continue to face obstacles to full civic assimilation. Issues such as voter suppression, underrepresentation in government, and the lack of adequate resources for tribal communities highlight ongoing challenges.

Factors Influencing Assimilation:

• Government Policy:Assimilationist policies, including the Indian Removal Act and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, have shaped Native American experiences for centuries.
• Economic Factors:Poverty, lack of access to education and employment, and historical dispossession of land have significantly impacted the ability of Native Americans to assimilate into the dominant society.
• Social Factors:Racism, discrimination, and stereotypes have created barriers to acceptance and inclusion.
• Cultural Factors:The strength of tribal identities and the desire to preserve traditional languages and cultural practices have often countered assimilation pressures.

Shortcomings of Gordon’s Assimilationist Perspective:

• One-Dimensional:Gordon’s model portrays assimilation as a linear progression, failing to acknowledge the complexity of cultural change and the multidimensional nature of assimilation.
• Eurocentric Bias:The model assumes the superiority of dominant culture, implying that minority groups must conform to achieve full integration.
• Ignores Historical Trauma:The model neglects the impact of colonization, forced assimilation policies, and ongoing discrimination on Indigenous peoples.

Real Life Examples:

• The Indian Removal Act (1830):This act forced the relocation of thousands of Native Americans, displacing them from their ancestral lands and destroying their cultural lifeways.
• The Boarding School Era:For over a century, Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in boarding schools designed to eradicate their cultures and assimilate them into mainstream society. The trauma of these schools continues to impact Indigenous communities today.
• The Red Power Movement:This movement emerged in the 1960s, advocating for self-determination and sovereignty for Native Americans. It underscored the resistance to assimilation and the desire to reclaim Indigenous cultures and identities.

Conclusion:

While Gordon’s assimilationist perspective offers a framework for understanding cultural change, its application to Native American experiences is limited. The history of forced assimilation, the ongoing impact of historical trauma, and the persistent struggles for self-determination and cultural preservation paint a more complex picture than Gordon’s model allows. The ongoing fight for equality, recognition, and self-determination underscores the need for a more nuanced and culturally sensitive approach to understanding the experiences of Indigenous peoples.