In this case study of Hispanics who migrate to America and attempt to assimilate, an interesting trend as been noted, that increasing percentages of these traditionally religious Hispanics abandon their religion and stop going to church. Does assimilation in other another country spell the abandonment of traditional ways of life and customs? If so, this could potentially result in the homogenization of culture and the loss of many unique customs and practices that add to the richness of a given culture.

Increased secularization has largely been attributed to the increased materialism of immigrants whence they have settled in the United States. This materialistic culture is often a hallmark of developed countries and is fast becoming the norm in developing countries as well. As conventional economic and social progress is often intrinsically to the adoption of Western economic and political systems, more specifically, the free market economy and democracy.

As such, increased exposure to the pervasive materialistic nature of Western culture has resulted in the dilution of indigenous cultures. Instead being a melting pot of diverse cultures that co-exist in harmony, society in the United States has become a sort of cookie cutter that forces foreigners to assimilate completely. Even those that don’t are in name only. Like the many Hispanics who identify themselves as Christian or Catholic but rarely attend church services.

Clare the cultural expert!

Labels: cultural globalization