Family
The Amish have an unwritten blueprint for Amish living called the Ordnung that guides them through all the details of everyday life. The Amish consider the Ordnung to be a sacred trust that separates them from the
outside world. When its members live together, work together, worship together and socialize
together, the Amish family is made stronger. Family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture. This belief clearly shows that the Amish is a collectivistic culture. Hofstede, a Dutch psychologist, described collectivistic cultures as placing high value on the group. They believe that with working together they learn to value each other and get things done in a more efficient way. Large families with seven to ten children are common. Chores are clearly divided by sexual role in the Amish home. The man usually works on the farm, while the wife does the washing, cleaning, cooking, and other household chores. This division of the gender roles illustrates Hofstede's masculinity-femininity dimension. The Amish culture can be viewed as exhibiting masculinity, which means emphasizing "distinct difference in gender roles between men and women" (Sorrells, 2013, p. 184). There are exceptions, but typically the father is considered the head of the Amish household. However, the Amish also illustrate femininity, because modesty is important whereas success and achievement is not. Because of their religious beliefs, Amish try to separate themselves from "outsiders," in an effort to avoid temptations and sin. They choose, instead, to rely on themselves and the other members of their local Amish community. Because of this self-reliance, Amish don't draw Social Security or accept other forms of government assistance.
outside world. When its members live together, work together, worship together and socialize
together, the Amish family is made stronger. Family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture. This belief clearly shows that the Amish is a collectivistic culture. Hofstede, a Dutch psychologist, described collectivistic cultures as placing high value on the group. They believe that with working together they learn to value each other and get things done in a more efficient way. Large families with seven to ten children are common. Chores are clearly divided by sexual role in the Amish home. The man usually works on the farm, while the wife does the washing, cleaning, cooking, and other household chores. This division of the gender roles illustrates Hofstede's masculinity-femininity dimension. The Amish culture can be viewed as exhibiting masculinity, which means emphasizing "distinct difference in gender roles between men and women" (Sorrells, 2013, p. 184). There are exceptions, but typically the father is considered the head of the Amish household. However, the Amish also illustrate femininity, because modesty is important whereas success and achievement is not. Because of their religious beliefs, Amish try to separate themselves from "outsiders," in an effort to avoid temptations and sin. They choose, instead, to rely on themselves and the other members of their local Amish community. Because of this self-reliance, Amish don't draw Social Security or accept other forms of government assistance.
Baptism
The Amish practice adult baptism, rather than infant baptism, believing that
only adults can make informed decisions about their own salvation and commitment
to the church. Prior to baptism, Amish teenagers are encouraged to sample life
in the outside world, in a period referred to as Rumspringa (running around.)
only adults can make informed decisions about their own salvation and commitment
to the church. Prior to baptism, Amish teenagers are encouraged to sample life
in the outside world, in a period referred to as Rumspringa (running around.)
Rumspringa
The Amish go through a period known as the Rumspringa, meaning running around.
This usually starts around the age of 16. This is a time when an Amish youth
enters into a more formalized social world, interacting with others in his age
group in a variety of settings. This may include attending church singings,
participating in games and activities with one’s “buddy bunch” or “gang,”
and of course, dating. However, this does not mean that the youth break the
Amish rules and engage in sexual activity or experimentation of drugs or other
sinful activities against the Amish culture. This is a time to find a marriage
partner. This period known as the Rumspringa ends at marriage.
This usually starts around the age of 16. This is a time when an Amish youth
enters into a more formalized social world, interacting with others in his age
group in a variety of settings. This may include attending church singings,
participating in games and activities with one’s “buddy bunch” or “gang,”
and of course, dating. However, this does not mean that the youth break the
Amish rules and engage in sexual activity or experimentation of drugs or other
sinful activities against the Amish culture. This is a time to find a marriage
partner. This period known as the Rumspringa ends at marriage.
Marriage
Amish marriage ceremonies typically occur in the bride's family home. Fathers and brothers work hard to make sure the house is in good repair. Mothers and sisters cook, clean and garden in preparation for the wedding feast.
Invitations are hand-written and delivered throughout the community. The wedding usually takes place in the month of November on a Tuesday or a Thursday. The Amish will hand sew the wedding dress which is usually the color of blue or purple. During the ceremony, hymns are sung and the men and women sit on different sides of the room. Amish usually marry in their early 20's (21-23) after the time of Rumspringa. The Amish more then likely marry another Amish; however, if they do fall in love with an outsider, the Amish person must either opt out of the Amish baptism or the outsider must consider joining the Amish church. The Amish do not wear wedding rings. The men usually grow a beard to show that they are married, and a woman will wear a different dress coloring than women who are single. Amish may also receive personalized wedding presents including their names and the marriage date, such as a porch planter or bench furniture. After the wedding they celebrate by eating. The bride and groom and their families eat first in a corner of the room called the Eck. A typical menu might feature roast chicken, mashed potatoes, yeast rolls and cooked celery. Hand-decorated wedding cake, pie, cookies and ice cream are served afterward. The bride will step over a broom handle to signify that she has transitioned from a maiden to a homemaker. Newlyweds do not go on honeymoons and usually spend the wedding night at the bride's parents' home.
Invitations are hand-written and delivered throughout the community. The wedding usually takes place in the month of November on a Tuesday or a Thursday. The Amish will hand sew the wedding dress which is usually the color of blue or purple. During the ceremony, hymns are sung and the men and women sit on different sides of the room. Amish usually marry in their early 20's (21-23) after the time of Rumspringa. The Amish more then likely marry another Amish; however, if they do fall in love with an outsider, the Amish person must either opt out of the Amish baptism or the outsider must consider joining the Amish church. The Amish do not wear wedding rings. The men usually grow a beard to show that they are married, and a woman will wear a different dress coloring than women who are single. Amish may also receive personalized wedding presents including their names and the marriage date, such as a porch planter or bench furniture. After the wedding they celebrate by eating. The bride and groom and their families eat first in a corner of the room called the Eck. A typical menu might feature roast chicken, mashed potatoes, yeast rolls and cooked celery. Hand-decorated wedding cake, pie, cookies and ice cream are served afterward. The bride will step over a broom handle to signify that she has transitioned from a maiden to a homemaker. Newlyweds do not go on honeymoons and usually spend the wedding night at the bride's parents' home.
Divorce
Though Amish divorce is rare, it may happen; however, it is highly looked down upon. If they divorce, they do not remarry if the other is still alive. If they do chose to remarry, the Amish will no longer accept them into the Amish culture anymore.
Shunning
The Amish culture is against any form of violence at all; therefore, they excommunicate individuals which can lead to shunning them. Reasons for excommunication vary from owning an automobile to owning a computer, from drinking alcohol to the refusal to kneel during religious ceremonies. Excommunicated members of the Amish community are not only expelled from the church but shunned as well. This means that all active members must avoid the offending individual in all social activities. Life-long friends and family members are also required to shun the wayward individual. Even parents must shun their own grown children. Usually, the excommunicated member drifts away from the church and the Amish community. Shunning is rare, but effective because people of the Amish community are afraid to lose their family and friends which prevents many individuals from the temptation to engage in sinful activities against the Amish culture. The Amish are loyal to their beliefs and have conformed to one another in a high power distance. They all accept the position of everyone in their community and follow their hierarchical authority, making shunning a last alternative barely used.
Church
Amish church services are held every other Sunday in the homes of the Amish, not in a church building. As people arrive, someone may be in charge of taking the horses to the barn. People tend to congregate by age and gender, young boys often in the barn, women in the house, etc. When church begins, women are usually seated in one area, and men in another. Seating is on backless benches, but there are more comfortable chairs for some of the older members and the ministers. Worship begins at about 8:00 a.m. and usually lasts over three hours. Hymns are sung from the Ausbund, a special hymnal used by the Amish. After the service concludes, the rooms are cleared of people and some of the benches are converted into tables so that a light lunch can be served. Because there may be over 150 people, men and women eat in shifts, oldest through youngest, usually in separate rooms. The meal may consist of coffee, bread, "church spread" (a combination of peanut butter and marshmallow), jam, apple butter, red beets, pickles, cheese, and sometimes snitz (dried apple) pie. A silent prayer is given before and after eating. Afterwards is a time for socializing.
Holidays
The Amish celebrate traditional religious holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Christmas for them, however, is a two-day celebration. The first day, December 25th, is a day of prayer, fasting, and meditation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. On the 26th, Christmas is celebrated with family, huge feasts, and handmade gift giving. Easter follows a similar celebration.
Patriotic holidays, such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, are barely recognized in Amish culture, and Halloween goes against Amish religious beliefs, so it is not celebrated. Holidays that celebrate a specific person (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr.) are also not observed.
Amish holidays do not possess the consumerism quality that others have applied to holidays. Homes are not decorated with typical Christmas decorations, and the Easter Bunny does not visit Amish homes. These holidays keep with the values of religion, family, and mild celebration.
Birthdays are celebrated with mild celebration as well, usually with just cakes and presents. When a child is in school, the parents may share a small special treat with their child's classmates and school friends.
Patriotic holidays, such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, are barely recognized in Amish culture, and Halloween goes against Amish religious beliefs, so it is not celebrated. Holidays that celebrate a specific person (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr.) are also not observed.
Amish holidays do not possess the consumerism quality that others have applied to holidays. Homes are not decorated with typical Christmas decorations, and the Easter Bunny does not visit Amish homes. These holidays keep with the values of religion, family, and mild celebration.
Birthdays are celebrated with mild celebration as well, usually with just cakes and presents. When a child is in school, the parents may share a small special treat with their child's classmates and school friends.