Amish Education Beliefs

The Amish are well known for their use of horse and buggy for transportation.

The Amish are a group of devout, Bible-believing Christians who, according to the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau (PDCVB), evolved when the Anabaptist movement "spurred the creation of three 'plain' communities: the Mennonites, Amish and Brethren." The Amish arrived in the United States in the early eighteenth century and to this day do not take part in what they term "otherworldiness," or, more specifically, certain technologies, customs and behaviors that exist outside of their own communities. The Amish base this belief, according to Sociology Central, a website created by Andrew Rollings, Ph.D., in a doctrine of non-conformity attributed to Romans 12:1-2 and II Corinthians 6:14. While known for their use of horse and buggy, lack of electrical appliances and separation from the outside world, the specifics of what is and is not permitted vary from church to church within Amish communities.

Education

The Amish have a primary-school educational system.

According to Sociology Central, Amish education is limited to primary schooling. "Amish warn of the 'pagan' philosophy and the intellectual enterprise of 'fallen man'" while avoiding entirely training "associated with self exaltation, pride of position, enjoyment of power and the art of war and violence." According to the PDCVB, Amish schools are church-funded and one room in size.

Curriculum

The Amish study German and English.

The Amish learn both English and German. Their basic studies include reading, writing and practical math (the Amish engage in engineering their own structures and business, both of which require mathematics). Geography is also taught. The schools are normally around 30 students in size and, according to the PDCVB, the teachers are Amish women "chosen by a local school board of parents for their academic ability and commitment to religious values and Amish views." Sociology Central adds that science may be taught at a basic level as pertains to animals, stars and planets, and health can also be introduced to the syllabus.

Farming

Amish life is largely defined by farming.

The Amish only attend school through the eighth grade in part because the in-school setting is only half of what they consider to be necessary education. Farming and making a home are crucial to the simple way of life the Amish lead. After the completion of their schooling, Amish children take part in chores of farm and home in order to learn hands-on vocational skills necessary to the survival of their farming lives. Amish tend to have very large families, and once old enough, the children contribute, either through work or the wages earned through vocational jobs.

Rumspringa

Some Amish youth take part in parties and drinking during their rumspringa.

Some Amish allow their teens to become knowledgeable in ways of the "outside world" through a tradition known as "rumspringa," which means "running around." According to NPR, in an article entitled "Rumspringa: Amish Teens Venture into Modern Vices," while for some youth the rumspringa may mean a trip to the movies or driving lessons, for others it "is all about sex, parties and fast cars." Teenagers aged 16 and older sometimes leave the guarded communities of their upbringing and date and drink alcohol. The idea behind the rumspringa is offering young adults the choice to continue in the teachings, traditions and lifestyle of the Amish before being baptized into the Church and taking on a life of rigid observation and responsibility.

References

• Sociology Central: The Amish
• Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau: Amish Education and Work
• NPR: Rumspringa: Amish Teens Venture into Modern Vices
• Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau: Amish History and Beliefs
• Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau: Amish History and Beliefs

Resources

• Amish America