Globalization: Complex web of forces and factors that bring people, cultures, cultural products, and markets, as well as beliefs and practices into increasingly greater proximity to and interrelationship with one another.
Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions & The Amish
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Image from www.joe-ks.com
Individualism-Collectivism
Masculinity-Femininity
- Individualistic cultures are ones where the interests of the individual are placed before the interest of the group.
- Collectivistic cultures tend to focus on the needs, interests, and goals of the group.
- The Amish would fit into the Collectivistic culture because they are very community-oriented. A few examples of such loyalty to others would be the barn raising (photo seen on References page) which is done by all of the men of the community to help one another out. Another example is the church services held by different families in their own homes. The Amish will socialize after the long church services with neighbors and families for the entire day on Sunday.
Masculinity-Femininity
- Masculinity refers to societies that emphasize distinct differences in gender roles between men and women.
- Femininity refers to cultures where gender roles overlap and the gender characteristics are shared.
- The Amish have a culture emphasizing masculinity, as seen in the dominant role of men in the family, workplace, and in school districts. The women and children are expected to respect the men and be submissive in his presence. These roles are not interchangeable. The women are always expected to raise the children, cook, and clean.
- Low power distance cultures tend to emphasize equality, self-initiative, and consolation with subordinates in decision making.
- High power distance cultures tend to accept unequal status among members, respect those in higher status positions, and expect managers or authority figures to make decisions.
- The Amish live in a high power distance culture where the women are expected to respect the men's choices and have less of a voice in decision making than the men. The children are expected to respect their parents most diligently, and the entire society must respect the oral rule book called the Ordnung (further explained in the Family Customs page).
- High uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to be more formal and rule oriented, conflict is seen as a threat to group harmony and innovation is less acceptable.
- Low uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to be more informal and less structured, encouraging new things and innovation.
- The Amish live in a high uncertainty avoidance culture. The people of the Amish community tend to stray away from conflict situations, which is why they decide to live such a secluded life from the rest of the globe. If there is domestic violence within the home or in the community, it is normally kept quiet and the Amish simply just do not talk about it (read further on this in the Issues of Social Justice section). The Amish also do not accept innovation, as talked about later on this page, the reason being that they understand that innovation can lead to new (sometimes contrasting) thoughts about religion.
Daily Life
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Wringer washing machine in an Amish home
Because the Amish tend to live a secluded life separate from the communities surrounding them, daily life consists something of the following:
The husband would get up at 5 AM and feed the animals, milk the cows, and process the milk for truck delivery to the local dairy. He will work in the field depending on the time of year. For example, in late winter he will prepare the fields for planting, and in spring he will plant the crops. He works sunup to sunset planting and harvesting. He would milk the cows again in the morning.
The wife would also get up at 5 AM to help with the milking, prepare breakfast, and (if a Monday) do the laundry. To do the laundry, she will use a wringer washing machine and hang the clothes on a line to dry. All of the clothes are sewed by her for the entire family. She will work in the kitchen garden, prepare for planting with her husband, do household chores, or harvest vegetables. If there are children, she will get them ready for school.
On Sundays, they get up early before church to tend to the animals and then they attend church (about 7:30 AM). The day is spent with family members and neighbors.
The husband would get up at 5 AM and feed the animals, milk the cows, and process the milk for truck delivery to the local dairy. He will work in the field depending on the time of year. For example, in late winter he will prepare the fields for planting, and in spring he will plant the crops. He works sunup to sunset planting and harvesting. He would milk the cows again in the morning.
The wife would also get up at 5 AM to help with the milking, prepare breakfast, and (if a Monday) do the laundry. To do the laundry, she will use a wringer washing machine and hang the clothes on a line to dry. All of the clothes are sewed by her for the entire family. She will work in the kitchen garden, prepare for planting with her husband, do household chores, or harvest vegetables. If there are children, she will get them ready for school.
On Sundays, they get up early before church to tend to the animals and then they attend church (about 7:30 AM). The day is spent with family members and neighbors.
Technology
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Photo by Bill Coleman
Technology uses are regulated by the oral guidelines known as the Ordnung.
- What's wrong with technology?
- Exceptions
New Order Amish
Generally share the same beliefs with Old Order Amish, except:
- Greater openness to telephones in the home
- More missions work
- Shorter hair
- Assurance of salvation (no one can know the state of his soul while on earth)
- Strict about substance use
- Allow travel by airplane, and more elaborate buggies (rubber tires)
- Lower retention rate
Education
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Schoolhouse. Photo by Bill Coleman
Amish tend to only go to school up to eighth grade.
- Why?
- What do they learn?
- What is the school house like?
Business
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Photo by Bill Coleman
The Amish businesses include: furniture making, construction, produce farming, market stands, auctioneering, quilt making, accounting, buggy making, and harness shops.
- Market Stands: Typically found in urban cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. Vendors sell a variety of goods.
- Auctioneering: The Amish have been putting on auctions to support the mission work in Haiti. Mud sales are common as well, being named rightly so as they take place in the spring when the fields are muddy. Amish put on other auctions, typically for charity organizations.
- Accounting: Amish accountants handle payroll and may offer business advice to Amish entrepreneurs.
Medicine
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Irene Boehlefeld, RN. from Akron Children's Hospital in Holmes County, Ohio
- Since there are no objections in the Bible for modern medicine, some Amish people will seek health care from a licensed professional. However, they do believe that God is the ultimate healer.
- They will generally not go to see a licensed physician for checkups, etc. when there are no physical symptoms present. They may prefer a natural treatment, and some Amish may own herbal medicine stores.
- Amish prefer to give birth at home (usually due to cost of medical bills). The first birth is more likely to take place in a hospital, while subsequent births will generally take place in a non-hospital setting.
- Some Amish have their children immunized, and some object due to distrust, associations with autism, and religious reasons.
"Breaking Amish" Series: TLC
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For the "Breaking Amish" site: Click here
- An interesting series about the Amish tradition: Rumspringa.
- Follow five Amish individuals as they explore New York City, and unpack more than just their suitcases.