Journal of South Asia Women Studies

The Asian objective in pursuit of Western assimilation is realization of aspirations that enhance quality of life. It is not a desire on the part of such persons to denigrate self but such is frequently all too imperative. It allows a degree of function to the extent victims appear successful but is ultimately pathological because it requires acquiescence to the stigmatization of dark skin. It promotes psychological stress in that assimilation becomes a game, which forces those who participate to the fringes of sanity. It may precipitate separation of family, perhaps the most pathological act of all. It is potent and painful to the psyche because family is where the sense of identity originates. Colby referred to this as the "nurturing environment".1 The "nurturing environment" can be compared to Erikson's "significant others": Those closest and most involved in the determination of an individual's sense of identity.2 The individual's experiences and sense of identity growing out of his or her relationship with "significant others" play an important role in socialization and the ability of the individual to live a sane, productive, and most importantly, healthy life.

Mead's concept of the "generalized other" is also applicable to Western assimilation.3 Mead defined the generalized other as taking on the attitude of the wider society in regard to self. In this way one learns to become an object unto self, to have an identity, to know self through role taking and from the reflection of others. In acting out the roles of others, children discover that such roles begin to define who they are. From the many roles assumed, there gradually arises a generalized other. This attitude of the generalized other or organized community gives unity of self to individuals as they incorporate society's responses and react accordingly.