The Amish Culture: A Blueprint for a Strong Family Unit
Sherletrice Spencer
ANT101
Dr. Elena Lattarulo
May 21, 2012

The Amish Culture: A Blueprint for a Strong Family Unit The Amish are an old religious sect and trace their heritage to the Swiss Anabaptists of sixteenth century Europe (Kraybill, 2001, pg. 3). Their existence both socially and economically revolve around the church, family, and their resistance to many forms of modern technology and conveniences. The Amish choose to live apart from modern society to maintain unity among its members but most important, to shield themselves from the temptations of the modern world. The ways of the Amish are a page out of the past, but they embrace many values that are lacking in modern society today. They continue to survive and thrive because of their commitment to community survival, adherence to a strict social order, and a strong sense of family and values. The Amish, who are also known as “The Plain People” were founded by Jacob Amman. They initially belonged to a group called the Mennonites who believed in infant baptism and the unification of church and state. The Amish believed in separation of church and state and that people should only be baptized as adults because they believed one was old enough to make the decision about their religious choices as adults. With their vast differences, the Amish decided to break away from the Mennonites which made them a target of religious persecution; their beliefs were threatening to many religious authorities and many of the Amish were drowned, burned at the stake, starved in prisons, or beheaded. Becoming aware of their plight, William Penn offered a religious haven in America where they could practice their religion freely and without fear of retribution and now there are Amish settlements in more than 20 states, mostly Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana and Canada (holycrosslivonia.org, 1997). The Amish people value a life of simplicity thereby resisting many of the conveniences and technology of the modern world meaning they are against any technology they feel is detrimental to the family structure. They believe that such things as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and other signs of modernity are temptations that could lead to sinful behavior and thoughts such as vanity and inequality which could only serve to disrupt the close-knit community that they strive to keep. In other words, these things prevent them from being close to God and can be harmful to their way of life. Most Amish cultivate their fields with horse-drawn machinery and get around in horse-drawn buggies and although they have struggled with the idea of social change but realize that some change may be necessary in order for their community to survive and thrive. Although they prohibit the use of electricity in the homes because they fear that electrical wires connects them with the temptations of the modern world, electricity is used in certain situations such as electric fences for cattle and flashing lights on their buggies and some branches of the culture will use mechanical or gas-powered machines to perform tasks on the farm. The use of technology varies between Amish orders as different orders will make distinctions between ownership and use of modern conveniences. The Amish do not reject technology as a whole, but adopt it selectively, hoping that the tools they use will build community rather than harm it. In short, they prefer technology that preserves social capital, rather than depletes it (Kraybill, 2001, pg 188). This is a strong argument being that modern families seem to lack the closeness and unity of the Amish families. Sitting down to dinner as a family unit is virtually nonexistent with the distractions of the internet, phones, and television. Families eat at different times then tend to go their separate ways, doing their own thing whereas the Amish do everything together which only serves to strengthen their bond as a family and community.
The Amish are divided into several separate bodies that are more conservative than others. The Bible is the sacred text of their religion which they interpret literally. Along with the Bible, the Amish have a set of written or unwritten rules called the Ordnung which regulates all aspects of Amish activity (Anabaptists.org), the basis for their morals and way of life. Although these rules are not in writing, they are well known and strictly followed. Their religion is based on Christian principles and the scriptures of the Bible are the final word. Their religion is embedded in every aspect of their lives as they follow the teachings of Jesus, who taught forgiveness, to place the needs of others before your own, and take comfort in knowing that God is always in control and can bring good out of any situation. A perfect example of their faith was evident after the Amish school shooting in October 2006 where 10 young school girls were shot, five of them fatally before committing suicide. Drawing on their faith, the Amish didn’t lay blame but reached out with forgiveness towards the shooter, Charles Roberts, and compassion for his family. The irony of this is that Roberts who was not Amish and whose daughter died shortly after being born nine years earlier could not forgive God for her death and yet the Amish community immediately forgave him and showed compassion towards his family (800padutch.com). This expression of faith is very enlightening and inspirational for many members of the Christian faith in that the Amish are a perfect example of religious group who not only believe but lives their religion.
The Amish believe that Christian values such as helping thy neighbor should be practiced everyday. They help each other in emergencies so there is no need for health insurance or fire insurance (Egenes, 2009, pg. 71). If a barn or home burns down, the entire community gathers in what is called “frolics” where the women and girls prepare a feast and the men and boys raise the barn or home usually in a single day. If a church member is ill, they employ a system that ensures that the church member would receive a visit, a meal, or a letter every day of the month; no one in need is ever forgotten.
Humility is a distinctive characteristic of Amish beliefs. Modesty, patience, waiting and yielding to others are considered signs of maturity. To preserve the Amish identity, the members are encouraged to surrender their personal goals and desire for individualism to maintain harmony in the community. This is most noticeable in the dress of the Amish which is symbolic of their faith and encourages humility and separation from the world. The Amish dress is very simple in style with no ornamentations and is made at home of plain fabrics and dark in color. The dress of the Amish and the modern world differ drastically. In modern society, dress is used to draw attention, to express social class, and wealth whereas the Amish dress signifies group membership and submission to the moral order. Modern dress accents the individual, whereas Amish dress builds group solidarity (Kraybill, 2001, pg. 58). In modern society, so much emphasis is put on designer clothes and status, hip hair cuts and styles, it makes one wonder if the onslaught of bullying incidents could be curbed or even eliminated if less emphasis was placed on singling out someone because they had less than someone else. Individualism only serves to highlight the differences between people only to make them a possible target for bullying or taunting and the Amish way of dress may be a perfect way to eliminate the differences.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (II Corinthians 6:17). Being that the Amish take Bible scriptures literally, this may serve to explain the Amish reasoning for separating from the world. Basically this scripture means get away from unbelievers and have nothing to do with anything unclean and I will receive you. The Amish believe the outside world is filled with temptations that corrupt the mind and soul and these things promote greed, immorality, pride, and materialism which they believe separates them from God. Having these things touch their lives makes it harder to obey the rules of God thereby preventing them from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. This separation from the outside world forces them to rely on themselves and the Amish community which means they don’t accept any forms of government assistance. This reliance on those within the community further strengthens their bond with family and each other.
The Amish believe strongly in education but such education only continues through the eighth grade. Amish schools are one room structures operated by Amish parents and their curriculum concentrates not only the basics, reading, writing, math, and geography, along with vocational training and the studying of Amish history and values, but other values that the Amish hold dear: discipline, respect, and cooperation. Education surrounding home life is also taught; farming and homemaking skills are considered extremely important in the upbringing of Amish children. What is so wonderful about this system is that they are all on one accord; teachers, parents, and neighbors consistently reinforce the same ideals and the children are clear on what is expected of them unlike the modern world where it seems as though teachers have very little support or assistance from some parents and the administration in outlining and reinforcing to the children what is expected of them. There is no longer any discipline in the schools which have basically become a battle zone in some districts. Another aspect of educating Amish children is teaching them the satisfaction of a job well done which is why all Amish children are given chores at home to do. Industriousness is a virtue and a way of life. The Amish honor every job as important (Egenes, 2009, pg. 43). This is another difference between the Amish world and the modern world in that many modern children expect something for nothing; they have no responsibilities, nor do they realize the value of money because they don’t have to work for it. The Amish culture is not that strange because if modern society looked a little closer they would realize they were raised in a similar way and should strive to incorporate many of these practices in their own lives.
The family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture. Believing that large families are a blessing from God each child is welcomed and the birth, a joyous occasion. Large families with seven to ten children are very common and their culture allows families to grow very close because they do everything together. All meals are eaten together and between meals, young children and older daughters spend time working around the house together while the father and older sons work in the fields or the workshop. Working side by side with their parents allows the children learn important and essential customs and skills and become trained in the ways of their parents, grandparents and all those who came before. Everyone has value in the Amish family especially the elderly who are well cared for and almost never sent away to nursing homes and is only done so if the family is convinced that the appropriate care can only be obtained in a nursing home. In some instances they will move in with one of their children and the siblings take turns taking care of their parents or they are provided their own home so that they can retain their independence while remaining an integral part of the family’s day to day activities. Unlike many elderly of the modern world, the Amish elderly are revered for their wisdom and contributions to the culture and the community and are never made to feel as though they are no longer needed. Amish life is spent in the context of the family and their activities take place at or near their home; children are born at home, they play at home, work full-time in the home or farm, quilting parties take place in the home and even church services rotate from home to home. The family unit is has deteriorated from the modern society and it is clear, at least to this writer why the Amish family unit remains in tact and strong.
Amish members conform to traditional gender roles which are clearly defined in the Amish community. It is a patriarchal society where the father is the spiritual head of the home along with the decision maker, wage earner, and disciplinarian but major decisions are usually made by both husband and wife. The wife may sometimes assist in the family business but her main responsibilities occur within the home. Amish women are expected to marry, have children and submit to their husband’s will. Divorce is not allowed and separation is rare. It is the responsibility of the wife to care for the children and the household. The Amish often take literal instruction from the Bible; women do not question their submissive roles because to do so goes against the divine order of things. Men are taught to love and respect their wives and being that they are non-violent, the chance of them being abusive to their wives is slim which is in direct contrast to their modern counterparts.
Amish weddings are joyous events that involve the entire Amish community and choosing a mate is the most important decision a young Amish man can make. Boys and girls begin searching for their spouse by the age of sixteen and by the time they are in their early twenties, they are looking forward to their wedding day. Before a couple can marry several steps must be taken. First, they both must join the Amish church. They are baptized into the Amish faith and are responsible for following the Ordnung (800padutch.com). A couple’s engagement is usually kept secret until just a few weeks before the wedding when their intentions are made public in church. The young man does not give his fiancée a diamond, but she may receive china or a clock. Amish weddings are traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays in late fall and takes place at the home of the bride’s parents consisting of a long ceremony followed by a large feast for the guests. The bride typically makes a new dress for the wedding in shades of blue or purple with no embellishments of any kind. Whereas many modern brides wear their wedding dress once, Amish brides will use her wedding dress as her good dress for church and formal occasions after her wedding and on a sadder note this will also be the dress she is buried in when she dies. Unlike the lavish weddings of modern society, Amish weddings involve no makeup, rings, flowers, caterers, or photographers as these things are viewed as signs of vanity and pride which are seen as sinful in the Amish community. After all the festivities, newlyweds typically spend the night in the bride’s mother’s home so they can get up early the next day to help clean the home. There is no traditional honeymoon; the new couple will spend the next few months visiting all the new relatives on the weekends, which is when they will receive the majority of their wedding gifts (800padutch.com).
The Amish way of life seems hard because of their resistance to modern conveniences but when you see the strength of the family unit and closeness of the community, the trappings of modern society seems to be a much more difficult life. The Amish culture is very interesting because it reminded this writer of the wonderful times that were had growing up; memories of a simpler time where families ate dinner together each night, you could borrow sugar you’re your neighbor, the children were disciplined by the community, respect for your elders was expected, Sunday dinners after church and family prayer were the norm. This culture seems foreign to many who just look at it on the surface, but if one looks deeper at the lessons they are teaching their children and their commitment to the survival of the group as a whole versus and individual, the Amish way of life could be the blueprint for modern society to reestablish what it is lacking; compassion and caring for their fellow man, a renewed reverence for biblical principles, and the resurgence of the family unit.

References
Kraybill, D. B. (2001). Riddle of Amish Culture. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press Retrieved from site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/search.action?
Egenes, L. (2009). Visits With the Amish: Impressions of the Plain Life. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press. Retrieved from site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/search.action?
Holycrosslivonia.org (1997) Origins of the Old Order Amish. Retrieved from www.holycrosslivonia.org/amish/origin.htm
Anabaptists.org (N.D.). Meet the Amish. Retrieved from http://www.anabaptists.org/amish.html