Beyond the Bonnet

Beyond the Bonnet

Flipping through the channels one weeknight while finishing some studying I was intrigued by a particular commercial for an upcoming series, Amish: Out of Order. I immediately turned to my fiancé and said, "Make a note on your phone calendar because we will be watching that." I had a very limited idea with regards to the shows content, but I was extremely excited for its premier. After seeing a few episodes, it is a documentary style series that focuses on people attempting to leave the Amish community. The Ex-Amish have let cameras into their lives to view there current struggles and dig deeper to expose the reasons for their desire to leave the only life they have every known. However, there is only one Ex-Amish woman that is featured. This raised several questions. Why were there a tremendous amount of Ex-Amish men being featured? Are there that many more men leaving this community? And if so, what drives the men out? Or better yet, what is keeping the women there? Thus, I decided that this would make for a perfect subject for further study. What exactly is the woman's role in Amish society? My research was quite extensive, but difficult. There are not too many sources that really examine the life of an Amish woman alone. The Amish are looked at as more of a collective body of believers. Therefore, I feel it best to give an in depth look into the society as a whole to begin.

Jakob Amman was a Mennonite leader in Europe that pushed the boundaries of tradition Mennonite customs and practices, eventually being excommunicated. This caused an uproar in the Mennonite communities and schism was a result. His followers committed to his teachings and migrated. The United States saw its first Amish communities in Pennsylvania by the 18th century. Eventually Amish communities died out in Europe altogether and only exist now as several communities scattered about the United States.

The Amish believe in a simple life valuing humility, family and community. Each society will have a Bishop, at least one preacher, and an elder elected by the members of the church. Baptism and membership of the church are only allowed for adults. The Amish follow a list of unwritten rules, the Ordnung, prohibiting the exposure of outside (worldly) influences to their society, the use of electricity, divorce, and individuality. These rules help them to lead a more Christian way of life so they believe. With the exception of very few communities, automobiles are not allowed. Horse drawn buggies are the means of transportation. These carriages are usually black but can come in tan brown or yellow. All activity in the community revolves around family and everyone in the family is expected to participate in the daily chores and jobs. The education of children focuses on reading, writing, math, labor, and housework. Education is complete as of the 8th grade. There is a requirement of plain dressing consisting of a uniform look and muted colors. Men are not to trim their beards but are not allowed to have a mustache. Individualism is hushed so much so that even in singing there is no harmonizing, just a single voice. Violence of any form is strictly prohibited as well. All sports or activities can be played but only in an environment free of competition. The activities should be specifically revolved around everyone enjoying themselves.

My inspiration, Esther, is the 24 year old Ex-Amish woman featured in the National Geographic series. She left the Amish when she was 18 years old. She claims that she wanted to live her life as an individual expressing her personal style. She was not satisfied with the life of an Amish woman, and what is expected of her. She voices her desire to have bigger goals with her life as far as education and ability. In striving for these differences she says that she will hold tightly to her Amish values as she lives her "English" life.

Men have the majority of the control at home even though the women maintain it. Husbands and wives share ownership of their house and land, but the man is the ultimate decision maker. The Amish woman must consult her husband before making any decision. Although it was mentioned in an Amish encyclopedia that husbands will often consult their wives before making decisions as well, especially ones pertaining to the home.

Amish women are of high esteem in the community and are allowed to vote in community elections, but in most communities in the US they cannot be elected to any position of leadership. They may be Sunday school teachers or schoolhouse teachers, but a married woman is subject to strictly her home. This is almost always the case when children are born. They are not allowed to work under anyone else unless given permission by her husband, thus it is rare that an Amish woman will have any aspirations beyond the life of a housewife. Being a mother and a role model for the girls in the community are crucial to this life long career. In cases where an Amish woman has different goals for her life similar situations as Esther's would be more likely to occur I can only assume. That is, if an Amish woman musters up the courage to face the ridicule and humiliation of becoming Ex-Amish.

Maintaining a home in Amish society means long hours of intense labor in the