It might be interesting to know that the Amish are not all the same and in fact are quite diverse. Just as other groups of people and cultures have differences among them, so do the Amish. There are several different groups of Amish that operate independently of each other.
There are variations of religious practices and conduct of daily living among the groups. Today, the largest Amish community is in Ohio and the largest settlements are in Holmes County and Wayne County. Although they have their differences, they all maintain a certain separateness from the outside world.
Disconnecting from the outside world, or separation, helps members gain a strong sense of identify and belonging in the community. Maintaining the separateness means rejecting many of the modern conveniences and being very selective in their use of technology. However, they will decide how much technology and other outside practices they will accept as a way to survive economically.
For example, cell phones and voice mail are used by businesses as a way for the Amish to compete with other businesses. Also, telephones are housed in communal areas so that a number of families are able to use them. Electricity provided by utility companies is deemed worldly, so they use bottled gas to fuel ranges and refrigerators and to heat water. Many folks may think that this group uses no modern type appliances, however they power washing machines, farming equipment, and water pumps with gasoline generators.
The outside world often perceives the gender roles of the Amish much different than they really are. The husband is considered the family head, but the wife is respected for her opinion and is often deferred to for a final determination. This practice is common when the decision concerns making a purchase for the home or when the husband is absent. In addition, the husbands take responsibility for supervising and raising the children.
The children are groomed throughout their lives to carry on the traditions of farming for the boys, and homemaking for the girls. However, they will have a time in their adolescence to experience the world before being baptized. The young adults are able to experience non Amish life and see how the English live prior to settling into their Amish lives.
Many of us have a misconception of this practice as we have heard the stories of the Amish youth who defiantly leave the community out of curiosity, and without their families blessing. The reality of this time during adolescence is that the young people are allowed to leave the community to experience life of the outside world.
There are variations of religious practices and conduct of daily living among the groups. Today, the largest Amish community is in Ohio and the largest settlements are in Holmes County and Wayne County. Although they have their differences, they all maintain a certain separateness from the outside world.
Disconnecting from the outside world, or separation, helps members gain a strong sense of identify and belonging in the community. Maintaining the separateness means rejecting many of the modern conveniences and being very selective in their use of technology. However, they will decide how much technology and other outside practices they will accept as a way to survive economically.
For example, cell phones and voice mail are used by businesses as a way for the Amish to compete with other businesses. Also, telephones are housed in communal areas so that a number of families are able to use them. Electricity provided by utility companies is deemed worldly, so they use bottled gas to fuel ranges and refrigerators and to heat water. Many folks may think that this group uses no modern type appliances, however they power washing machines, farming equipment, and water pumps with gasoline generators.
The outside world often perceives the gender roles of the Amish much different than they really are. The husband is considered the family head, but the wife is respected for her opinion and is often deferred to for a final determination. This practice is common when the decision concerns making a purchase for the home or when the husband is absent. In addition, the husbands take responsibility for supervising and raising the children.
The children are groomed throughout their lives to carry on the traditions of farming for the boys, and homemaking for the girls. However, they will have a time in their adolescence to experience the world before being baptized. The young adults are able to experience non Amish life and see how the English live prior to settling into their Amish lives.
Many of us have a misconception of this practice as we have heard the stories of the Amish youth who defiantly leave the community out of curiosity, and without their families blessing. The reality of this time during adolescence is that the young people are allowed to leave the community to experience life of the outside world.
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