Amish People

United States of America and The Amish: Mainstream Culture and The Minority

What does it mean to be Amish? They dress different and their lifestyle is different, but is that the only difference between the Amish and the people of the mainstream American culture? America's 150,000 member Amish minority, which is situated throughout the U.S. mainly in Indiana, Ohio, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has been one of the most successful among the nation's religious and ethnic groups in opposing change and in saving the social integration of their small communities. The Amish minority is a society that differs from its mainstream American culture and portrays how the mainstream culture reflects the minority's needs.

The Amish are a very remarkable minority in that their culture is very peculiar, especially to the people of the mainstream culture. One incident, which acts as a very good example of the previously mentioned point, occurred a couple years ago: fifty-two Americans decided to visit the Holmes County and hired an Amishman to answer some of their questions about the Amish culture. The first question, of course, was, "What does it mean to be Amish?" The Amish man, Monroe L. Beachy, did not really have an explanation as to what it really means to be Amish, so he decided to ask a question of his own. "How many of you have TV in your homes?" Fifty-two hands went up. "Now, how many of you feel that perhaps you would be better off without TV in your homes?" Again, fifty-two hands went up. "All right. Now, how many of you are going to go home and get rid of your TV?" Not one hand went up! As a conclusion, and an overall answer to the question, he stated: "As a church, if we see or experience something that is not good for us spiritually, we will discipline ourselves to do without. The world in general does not know what it is to do without" (Beachy). The Amish people try to preserve the lifestyle and traditions of late 17th century Christianity. They choose to live in rural areas, and keep themselves isolated from the ways of modern society found in the mainstream lifestyle, such as electricity, phones, television, computers, and modern technology and thought. As a result, many Americans tend to believe that the Amish are just a big group of people who are trapped in the olden days. However, the mainstream culture tends to forget that the simple way of life is a main part of Amish culture, along with interdependent, God-centered, family life.

Education is of utmost importance to the Amish in preserving their cherished way of life. Education starts in the home as children learn the roles of men and women, respectively, from their parents and siblings. Parents as well as teachers teach obedience with consistency and by example, they do not discipline heavily as they do not want children obeying because they are afraid. They are taught kindness, humility, and to treat others as they wish to be treated. The child is never thanked for doing what is expected of him, as this may suggest an independent thought for the child. American children are often taught competition, assertiveness, and individuality at a young age because these are qualities which are considered necessary for success in society in later life. It is not to be said that children are not taught the same positive values as the Amish children in American families, but not all children are receiving the same moral education as is true in Amish culture(Hostetler 177-179). In schools children sing hymns and pray, as the laws regulating separation of church and state in America do not apply to Amish schools. American laws have allowed these schools to be built and run completely by chosen members of the Amish community, while they do remain under the state laws which regulate fire and health codes. Children are taught that good work is to help each other and to always work diligently to do better than before. The ideas of competition and discipline which are common in American public and private schools do not exist. Rather, school becomes an extension of community and family, where students and teacher develop relationships of respect. Children often work to please their teachers, but do not display competitive tendencies because pride is considered a sin. The children are taught by example and shown that work should be enjoyed. The curriculum of an elemental Amish school focuses on the students' mastering of the three R's, and learning the Christian ideals which form the foundation of Amish society (Hostetler 181-183). Books containing ideas of American patriotism, magic, the humanization of animals, and fairy tales are forbidden. Neither are the books in the school blatantly religious. Any education after the elemental level is optional and vocational. Students learn only things that will be helpful in what they will do for the rest of their lives, for example things relevant to farming. We can even dare to say that some of these methods of teaching have been adopted by alternative and higher educational institutions in the States, without them even knowing it. These are schools where students study only what they are interested in, without grades and based solely on the student's motivation to succeed. Unique relationships between students and teachers are often formed as well, reflecting some of the fundamental ideals of the Amish education.

One typical stereotype Americans hold against the Amish is that they force their beliefs upon their children. In reality, the Amish system of education is based on Christian beliefs which teach children the values of community and character, from which these children seldom stray. Education starts at the age when a child can walk. Before that a baby is introduced to the community and accepted as a member of it to be loved and enjoyed. Babies and children are considered inherently good and blameless. There are strong undertones of nature versus nurture when comparing an American to an Amish upbringing. Amish children are raised from birth as members of a close knit community and have many role models who have vested interest in their development (Amish Homestead). This can also occur in families in mainstream America, in a family that lives in a small community or has strong ties to the church. The main difference between the general Amish versus general American lifestyle when it comes to upbringing is that usually American society consists of many diverse people with different backgrounds. The Amish are interested in non-conformity and are highly suspect of American values. In the Amish society young adults are considered mature enough to decide for themselves whether or not they will choose to