The Amish are known for their conservative way of life, which is shaped in part by their interpretation of the Bible. In contrast to the fast-paced, technology-driven world we live in, the Amish reject many modern conveniences and live a simple, traditional lifestyle.
This way of life is fascinating to many people, and the rules that Amish women are expected to follow are a key part of this unique culture. These rules help to maintain the Amish way of life and keep the community strong and close-knit.
1. Receiving a higher education is rare
In Amish and Mennonite communities, formal education typically ends after the eighth grade. At this point, many girls become teachers and help to educate younger children in the community. However, once they are married, Amish women are expected to focus on domestic matters and take care of their families.
This emphasis on domesticity reflects the traditional gender roles within these communities, and it is seen as an important part of the Amish way of life.
2. They grow their hair out
Amish women are expected to grow their hair long and wear it in a bun under their prayer covering, according to a literal interpretation of the Bible, which states that it is a “shame” for a woman to cut her hair. As a result, many Amish women go their entire lives without getting a haircut, and their long hair is a defining characteristic of the community.
This practice is closely tied to the Amish emphasis on modesty and humility, and it is seen as a way of honoring the Biblical teachings and maintaining the traditional way of life.
3. Women cover up with a “bonnet”
The cloth head covering worn by Amish women is known as a “prayer covering,” and it is worn as a symbol of modesty and humility. When outside the home, Amish women often wear a bonnet on top of their prayer covering, which helps to protect their head and face from the elements.
The emphasis on modesty and humility is a fundamental aspect of Amish culture, and anything that stands out or draws attention to oneself is considered unacceptable. The plain, conservative clothing and head coverings worn by Amish women reflect these values and help to maintain the traditional way of life within the community.
4. Wedding dresses aren’t white
Amish women typically wear plain, conservative clothing, and their dresses are often made from simple, sturdy fabrics in shades of blue and indigo. Unlike many Western brides, who traditionally wear white on their wedding day, Amish brides often wear their everyday dresses to their weddings, which are typically plain and calf-length.
These dresses are then worn again to church and other religious events, and they are even used as the burial garments for the bride when she passes away. This practice reflects the Amish emphasis on simplicity and humility, as well as the value placed on the reuse and conservation of resources within the community.
5. Amish women rarely wear makeup
The Amish are known for their plain, simple way of life, and they take pride in this aspect of their culture. As a result, Amish women typically do not wear makeup or other flashy clothing, as these things are considered to be outside of the Amish ideal of plainness.
However, there may be some exceptions to this rule, such as at weddings or other special occasions. Amish weddings are often more elaborate than other events, and the bride may choose to wear a more elaborate dress or other adornments on her wedding day. Overall, the Amish place a high value on simplicity and humility, and this is reflected in the way they dress and present themselves to the world.
6. Faceless dolls
Amish mothers are not allowed to give their children dolls with faces, as this goes against the belief that such images are false idols. This belief is rooted in the Biblical commandment “Thou shall make no graven image,” and it is strictly followed in Amish and Mennonite communities.
As a result, Amish children often play with dolls that do not have faces, and pictures are rarely taken within these communities. This reflects the traditional values and beliefs of the Amish, who seek to live a simple and devout life in accordance with the teachings of the Bible.
7. Working outside their home is unlikely
In Amish and Mennonite communities, gender roles are clearly defined and strictly followed. Men are expected to work outside the home to support the family, while women are responsible for running the household and taking care of the children.
It is rare for an Amish woman to be the primary breadwinner for the family, as this goes against traditional gender roles and the expectations of the community.
8. Physical contact before marriage is frowned upon
Amish and Mennonite communities are similar to other Christian churches in many ways, but they have their own unique beliefs and practices. In these communities, couples are allowed to kiss during courtship, but physical intimacy is generally not permitted until marriage.
This is a reflection of the conservative values of these communities and their commitment to maintaining traditional ways of life. Like other Christian sects, Amish and Mennonite communities follow the teachings of the Bible and seek to live a devout and holy life.
9. Puberty and reproduction aren’t taught
Amish children are not typically taught about their changing bodies or about where babies come from, and it is assumed that they will figure these things out on their own.
This reflects the conservative and traditional nature of Amish culture, which places a strong emphasis on modesty and humility.
10. Being photographed is frowned upon
In Amish and Mennonite communities, posing for a picture is considered to be overly prideful and is therefore discouraged. Many Amish people will only allow themselves to be photographed if their faces are not shown, or if the photo is taken candidly without their knowledge.
This is because they believe that the act of posing for a picture is what makes it inappropriate, rather than the picture itself. The emphasis on humility and modesty is a fundamental part of Amish culture, and this is reflected in their attitudes towards photography and other visual arts.
11. Women can’t become preachers
Amish women do not typically take on positions of power within the church, as their roles are defined by the Bible and the teachings of the community.
As a result, leadership roles within the church are typically reserved for men, and Amish women are expected to support and assist their husbands in carrying out these responsibilities.
This reflects the traditional gender roles within Amish society, and it is seen as a natural and necessary part of maintaining the community’s religious and cultural traditions.
12. They cannot use buttons
In Amish and Mennonite communities, women typically use pins or snaps to fasten their clothing, while men use buttons. This is because buttons are often considered to be a luxury item and can lead to vanity, which goes against the Amish emphasis on simplicity and humility.
However, not all Amish communities are equally strict in their adherence to this practice, and some may allow the use of buttons on certain types of clothing. Overall, the use of pins and snaps instead of buttons reflects the traditional values and beliefs of the Amish, and helps to maintain the distinct identity of the community.
13. Hem length
The length of Amish women’s dresses varies from community to community and may also depend on the age of the woman. However, in most cases, the hem of the dress must conform to a certain length, which is typically no higher than the calf.
This is a reflection of the Amish emphasis on modesty and humility, and it helps to maintain the traditional way of dress within the community. The strict rules regarding dress are an important part of Amish culture, and they are closely followed by members of the community.
14. They cannot accessorize
In Amish and Mennonite communities, adorning oneself with accessories and showing off is frowned upon, as it goes against the values of modesty and humility. Instead of buying jewels and other fancy items, Amish women often use their money to feed and support their large families, which are often triple the size of the average American family.
This emphasis on family and community is a fundamental part of Amish culture, and it is seen as a more important and meaningful way to use one’s resources than buying unnecessary luxuries.
15. They are to be submissive and ready to help
The Amish believe that, according to their interpretation of the Bible, women were created after men and should therefore follow the footsteps of the men and be ready to give a helping hand when asked. This belief is rooted in the traditional gender roles of Amish culture, which dictate that men are the leaders and providers for the family, while women are responsible for supporting and assisting their husbands.
This belief is closely tied to the Amish emphasis on humility and obedience to the teachings of the Bible, and it is an important part of the community’s way of life.
16. The more the merrier
In Amish and Mennonite communities, the idea of being childless or not wanting to be a mother is considered sinful and goes against the expectations of the community.
Amish women are expected to have large families, and it is not uncommon for them to have many children, often more than the typical two or three children found in many Western families. This emphasis on procreation is rooted in the Amish belief in the importance of family and community, and it is seen as an essential part of their way of life.
17. To farm and forage
In Amish and Mennonite communities, women are expected to be knowledgeable about farming and foraging, and they often help out in the fields with their children. In addition to farming, Amish women also need to learn how to preserve food through canning and other processing methods, as this is essential for survival during the long, cold winters.
This knowledge and expertise is passed down from generation to generation, and it helps to ensure that the community has the skills and resources necessary to sustain itself and maintain its traditional way of life.
18. It is the women who cook and clean
In most countries, men are often celebrated as chefs and are expected to be skilled in the culinary arts. However, in Amish and Mennonite communities, it is the woman’s job to cook and clean for her family, while the men focus on work and making money. This division of labor reflects the traditional gender roles within these communities, and it is seen as an important part of the Amish way of life.
Women are expected to be proficient in domestic tasks, and they are responsible for providing food and care for their families. This allows the men to focus on the work that is necessary to support the family and the community.
19. Sleeves over elbows
In Amish and Mennonite communities, not only must skirts conform to a certain length, but a woman’s sleeves must also reach a certain length. This means that the sleeves should cover the elbows, in order to maintain modesty and humility.
This strict dress code is an important part of Amish culture, and it is closely followed by members of the community. The emphasis on modesty and humility is reflected in the way that Amish women dress, and it is seen as an essential part of their identity and way of life.
20. Women submit to their husbands
In Amish society, the wife is generally expected to play a submissive role to her husband. This is once again due to the Amish interpretation of scripture, which emphasizes the importance of obedience and submission within the family.
As a result, in public, the husband is expected to lead and the wife is expected to follow after him. This reflects the traditional gender roles within Amish culture, and it is seen as a natural and necessary part of maintaining the community’s religious and cultural traditions.
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