Milton Gordon

For Milton A. Gordon, see List of California State University, Fullerton people.

Milton Gordon (born 1918) is an American sociologist. He is most noted for having devised a theory on the Seven Stages of Assimilation.

1. Acculturation: newcomers adopt language, dress, and daily customs of the host society (including values and norms).
2. Structural assimilation: large-scale entrance of minorities into cliques, clubs and institutions in the host society.
3. Marital assimilation: widespread intermarriage.
4. Identification assimilation: the minority feels bonded to the dominant culture.
5. Attitude reception assimilation refers to the absence of prejudice .
6. Behavior reception assimilation refers to the absence of discrimination.
7. Civic assimilation occurs when there is an absence of values and power struggles.

Bibliography

• Milton M. Gordon, ed. (1981). America as a multicultural society. Philadelphia : American Academy of Political and Social Science. 
• Assimilation in American life: the role of race, religion, and national origins. New York, Oxford University Press. 1964. 
• Human nature, class, and ethnicity. New York : Oxford University Press. 1978. 
• The Scope of Sociology. 1988. 
• Assimilation in Native and Immigrant groups, special editor, Andres Suarez, Seminar presented June 9, 2008, London, Ontario

"Dimensions of Ethnic Assimilation: An Empirical Appraisal of Gordon's Typology" Williams, J. Allen Jr. and Ortega, Suzanne T (1990). Social Science Quarterly, 71, 4, December 1990

See also

• Melting Pot
• Immigration