5 Surprising Facts About the Life of an Amish Person
The Amish community is well known for their unique lifestyle, which seems to be a world apart from the modern world. Their way of life is fascinating to many, and yet it remains shrouded in mystery. Here, we’ll take a closer look at five surprising facts about the life of an Amish person.
1. Education is Limited
Amish children only attend school up to the eighth grade, and they learn in one-room schoolhouses where they’re taught by the community’s own teachers. After the eighth grade, they are expected to work on the farm, or join a non-farm business run by the community.
This may seem unusual to many of us who grew up in a culture where education is deemed essential, but this is not to say that the Amish don’t value learning. As a matter of fact, they value learning highly, but they prefer to teach their children useful skills that they can use within their community.
2. Birth Control is Uncommon
The Amish community does not encourage the use of any form of birth control, and this has resulted in larger families. It’s not out of the ordinary for an Amish family to have 8-10 children. This can be attributed to their religious belief that children are a blessing from God, and should therefore be celebrated as such.
Moreover, having larger families is considered beneficial since children can be a help to the family, particularly in farming. The Amish continue to practice traditional methods of agriculture, and having more hands-on people is advantageous to them.
3. Technology is Limited
The Amish community has a limited use of technology. They do not use electricity, automobiles or any modern gadgets. They use gas lamps to light their homes, horses to plow their fields, and buggies to move around.
Though this technology restriction seems backward, it lends way to a slower pace of life that’s becoming rare in modern times. Not only does it help to slow them down, but it also keeps them connected with nature and the environment.
4. Indoor Plumbing is Uncommon
Most Amish homes don’t have indoor plumbing, and they don’t use running water. The Amish simplify the process of living, and this involves doing without things that many consider a modern-day necessity.
The Amish use outhouses or what’s known as the ‘White House’ for their needs. The White House is a small water-tight building that is usually situated a little distance from the house. It has a ventilation system that ensures that the ammonia-filled air doesn’t linger.
5. Socialization is Essential
The Amish community values socialization highly. They have a unique way of socializing, and it’s centered around church services where members come together to worship and socialize.
Their social gatherings take place in homes, barns, or other buildings since they don’t have formal church buildings. Amish society is tightly-knit, and they see each other as family.
Conclusion
The Amish community’s way of life may seem odd, but it’s part of their culture, and it’s what makes them unique. Their values, religious beliefs, and traditions have been passed down for generations, and they are fiercely protective of them.
Despite the differences in lifestyle between the Amish and the modern world, there is much we can learn from them, such as their focus on family, community, and simplicity. We can take cues from them on how to preserve the environment and values which we oftentimes take for granted.
