The Amish Are a Culture

The Amish are a culture which has been around since the 1800s, their culture consists of living a simpler way without the use of modern technology, e.g. example they do not use electricity.

Family is very important to the Amish along with the roles which accompany them. The Amish live amongst extended family. The grandparents move out of the main house when they get older and move to a nearby, the grandparents are respected and considered as an important source of advice within the family. Extended family lives in close proximity and provides support.

Gender roles are clearly defined in the Amish community, the father is the head of the house hold. Men have responsibilities such as farming and educating the younger boys on the male duties. Women on the other hand are not allowed to work outside the family home (unless they are not married) instead they must stay home cleaning and cooking for the family.

An important aspect of the Amish family is socialising the young to prepare them for adult life. Children are pulled out of school after grade 8 as it is believed that continuing would give them too much pride. Once they are pulled out of school they are expected to begin work to support the family, handing all earnings over to their father.

Children do not get power until they reach the age of sixteen where they are considered adults and are sent out to experience the English world, this is known as Rummspringa. Rummspringa is a time where adolescence can go out into the English world and ignore the rules of the Amish church; they can drink, drive and do drugs for example during this time. The parents do not agree but keep away from saying anything as it is their time to experiment. At eighteen Amish adolescents have a decision to make, whether to join the Amish community (by getting baptized) or staying English and being shunned from the community and their family.