Over 40 million residents of the U.S. are classified as “foreign-born” – born outside of the U.S. Though some of them are here temporarily for things like school or work, most are now U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Why do so many people want to come join American society? Do they come just for economic or educational reasons, or is there something about the American culture, or way of life, that attracts these foreign-born residents?

Advice to foreign visitors to the U.S. might include the following information about American cultural beliefs: Americans value liberty, individuality, privacy, equality, informality, and directness. American traditions emphasize values like hospitality (especially Thanksgiving), generosity (especially Christmas), and competition (especially baseball and football). Americans are said to be resourceful and hardworking. Furthermore, a major feature of American society is its diversity – different ethnicities, races, and languages are said to blend together in what is called the “melting pot.” The term “melting pot” suggests that different ingredients are mixed together in a way that increases the complexity of flavors in the dish – like a delicious soup or stew.

But is a melting pot a good metaphor for American culture? Are the elements of culture and tradition mentioned above widely shared by immigrants as well as native-born Americans? Do foreign-born residents, even those who become American citizens, really melt into American society? Of course, it is easy for an immigrant to roast a turkey at Thanksgiving, send holiday cards, and root for their favorite baseball team during the World Series, but does that mean the melting pot is real?

What about immigrants who live in ethnic enclaves – places where almost all the residents come from the same background and speak the same language? What about the families that send their children to special classes in their home language? What about politicians and citizens who want to stop immigration and send undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin? Has American society lost its capacity to tolerate diversity and absorb new elements? Do these things mean that the melting pot is a myth?

Do you think the melting pot is a good description of American society, or has America become a place where immigrants maintain their identity without adopting American traditions and beliefs?