While in government and modern society we look to the police and military for our local and national security, these areas are of little concern to the Amish. Indeed, the State has been the cause of many of the problems the Amish have faced, from the time of their persecution in Europe through the school controversies in America in the 20th century, when some Amish men were put into jail.
The Amish are pacifists and do not serve in the military. During times of war, they have been conscientious objectors, and some were even beaten and abused in the C.O. (conscientious objector) camps. The Amish cooperate with the government as long as it does not infringe on their beliefs. However, they do not normally sue or go to court to resolve conflicts.
In “the old days,” security for the elderly was a place in their children’s household. Indeed, children were a kind of “old age insurance.” In Amish society, the aged are respected and cared for by the family and community, often moving into a special addition to the house. The Amish generally do not accept Social Security and try to avoid the use of nursing homes. Security is found among the Amish in being part of the family, and children in large families find security as much with their siblings as with their parents. With several generations often living under the same roof, there is both a sense of continuity and participation in family life.
Security and protection also come from the community itself, most outwardly visible in the barn-raising. But the Lancaster Amish have created other ways to help church members in time of need. An Amish Aid Society was formed by which members are assessed and money collected to help rebuild after a disaster. This is a modest system of fire and storm insurance. In 1965, a similar Amish Liability Aid system was established in the area, as author Donald Kraybill explains in his Riddle of Amish Culture, to “resolve the dilemma of providing protection against lawsuits without being ‘unequally yoked’ with commercial insurance.”
National Steering Committee was originally organized to deal with problems relating to the draft, but “more recently, the committee has mediated legal disputes between the government and the Amish on Social Security, hard hats, unemployment insurance, workmen’s compensation, and other matters.” Finally, those with medical bills to pay are helped by church alms. Again, in Lancaster, for serious problems an Amish Church Aid was developed as an informal version of hospitalization insurance.
Another traditional family function was to provide recreation for the child. Amish children in particular enjoy playing many games. Rather than going away from the home to parks or movies, children enjoy activities in the house and around the farm. With animals and wide open spaces, the farm is an exciting, although sometimes dangerous, playground. Amish children I observe find games everywhere—swinging a cow’s tail, chasing each other around the barn, climbing in the hay, pulling wagons, and imitating their parents. Children also get together at school and after church. Baseball is the most popular activity in the school yard.
It is perhaps the very fact that recreation is tied so much to the home, that some teenagers rebel before they join the church by participating in “worldly” recreation. This may include owning a car, drinking parties, attending movies, playing on a (non-Amish) baseball team, or going to the shopping mall. Many activities normally considered work are forms of recreation for the Amish adult. Quilting bees and frolics are an enjoyable mixture of work, socializing, and recreation. I once attended a straw frolic, now something of a rarity in Lancaster County. Straw was sorted and cut, later to be used for making straw hats. The men and women sat at their respective tables, talked, joked, and at times acted like children, stealing cushions and playing with the window shade.
Some Amish do travel, making trips to visit Amish in other states, but also sometimes to museums, the zoo, or places of interest. Members of one Lancaster family like to make a visit to the airport, simply to watch the planes taking off and landing. They rent a bus and driver for the trip. Some Amish enjoy an occasional trip to eat out, or a birthday party at a local restaurant. The most popular leisure activity for the Amish seems to be visiting. This may include everyone from relatives and the sick to non-Amish friends. Some tourists to Lancaster ask those of us with Amish friends what we “do” when we visit them. Tourists are sometimes baffled with the answer that “we just sit and talk for three hours.” No TV set is turned on and no staged activity is needed to pass the time.
As author Kraybill concludes, “activities are anchored at home…without admission fees. Staying home is not a dreaded experience of isolation for the Amish. It means being immersed in the chatter, work, and play of the extended family.” Published with permission from http://www.Amishcountrynews.com.
![]() |
Part 7 and the final post of this Amish series will be posted next Friday.
|
I had stopped and talked with a young Amish woman yesterday in Lebanon county for a minute or two, she was in what most call a training buggy which is tiny in size and has a small horse pulling. Since she didn't look like she was in training because of her age I asked her "why not take the larger buggy" which in fact were 2 sitting right next to hers, and I said wouldn't being in that larger buggy be just a little safer maybe. She told me that the reason she likes to take the smaller wagon is mostly because its much faster to get the horse hitched and on the road, so I do see Id say mostly woman using these to maybe run to the local market here. I guess I cant blame them somewhat because we all have been guilty of taking a short cut for the sake of a little speed in our chores, now how's that for some good old country talking folks,lol. For a guy who was born in the Bronx, not too shabby Id say! Richard
One more post in this Amish series which will be posted next Friday, try and have a good day everyone and at least we can say its "Friday". Richard
Such a tranquil outlook on recreation. Love your photos from today's post.
Really enjoyed the post this morning. Learned things I didn't know.
Really great post again this morning Richard. This series has been really good and I will be looking forward to the final post next week. I agree the the Amish can always find things to do. Unlike many kids who have so much and say they are bored they manage to find ways to keep themselves busy. I also love there sense of community and getting together with others is always a great time of fellowship. I wish we could slow down some ourselves but when all things around you keep going and going it is difficult to scale back.The Amish have their whole community moving at the same pace.Hope you have a great day and thanks again Veronica
Great post this morning Richard.Speaking personally, I love home. We do not go out too much at all. I run a few errands, and grocery, as I have elderly parents to run after, but I come home and do not venture out too much. I do not care to or have to.Saturdays are my day to shop generally, with farmer's market and my rancher where I get my beef and pork. That is about it, and I love it.Have a wonderful weekend, Richard.
Coming over here Richard there is always something to learn…a great post! Wishing you a great weekend and I hope it has cooled down a little for you.
Hi Richard,I have really been enjoying this series! I was wondering? Have you ever been to any other Amish settlements in different states? And how did you get into writing a post about the Amish. I will never forget the day I found an article about the Amish in Ohio and fell in love, it's been downhill since then. I am enamored by them. (except for the puppy mill thing!) Have a great weekend Richard and thank you for always stopping by my blog. Did you see my post a few days ago with the black and white Amish photos?Michelle
Great post. thanks!
Hello, Amish Stories. It is my joy to share your wonderful work. And sweet message charms my heart. I pray for your happiness and world peace.Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃
So interesting. We didn't know about this stuffBenny & Lily
Back folks and next Mondays post from Jean will have a chicken pot pie recipe and we all (most) love this kind of pie, I know I do! And she answers some of the questions from the readers as promised, so its another good post folks from Jean. Richard
I've also started on the "Amish hat maker" post with me arranging the images and taking out the ones I dont want to use, so what's left for me to do is just writing content and including information on how to get connected with Moses himself to order or restore a hat. So I will include his contact address to the readers for ordering if they chose to do that. And when this post is published I will be taking a 1 week blog break. Richard
Hi Richard, Just wanted to share that I recently visited my Amish friend in Lancaster County because her daughter tragically died in a farming accident. There is a series about the Amish on the History channel, I think it is, that incorrectly stated in one episode that the Amish do not grieve. That is false; they grieve just like the rest of us do. Take care!
Mary I'm really sorry in hearing about your friend and it reminds me how dangerous farming can be, And your correct about the Amish grieving as they are only human and feel pain like we all do. I didn't read about that accident in the Lancaster news or on WGAL local TV news so luckily I'm not hearing too much about farming accidents in the Lancaster area, and the last tragedy that I heard about was that manure pit accident involving a father and 2 sons. Mary if you can send me a note (the contact form is on the top right side) because Id like to get in touch with you if you wouldn't mind. Thanks Mary. Richard
Amei as fotografias.¸❤✿•.¸♥ Bom fim de semana!♡ Beijinhos. Brasil
Good morning everyone. So sad about your friends daughter Mary. I would also believe that the Amish grieve just as we would also. They however can find some peace in knowing that they will one day meet their loved ones again in heaven. I will pray for your friend for comfort. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Up early this morning to watch our granddaughter so her daddy can finish the roof while her mommy works. Being a grandparent is such a blessing.She was our blessed gift last year the week my husband lay fighting for his life after his cardiac arrest. What a week that was but God has been faithful to save a life and give us a new life. Thanks for the blog Richard and have a great weekend doing whatever makes you happy this weekend!!!!! Veronica
Welcome to Amish Stories from Brazil, and Veronica I'm very glad for you and your husband that he's still with you and your family to enjoy his grand children. So its a gift that you seem very aware of and are grateful every min of the day, and its nice to see you more often and posting your comments. As for myself this morning its raining here but I will try not to stop me from going out today, I need to get some air regardless and stretch my legs a little. I'm on Twitter now for the first time and I registered on Friday, so after hearing about it for the last few years I'm trying it. I'm not sure how much of it I will be doing to be honest but it is another way perhaps in connecting with more folks and sharing a little bit about Amish Stories, so I'm giving it a shot and my twitter address is @Amishstories. Could that address really be anything else folks,lol. Enjoy your day everyone and I will pop on later. Richard
Well Richard you are a step ahead of us thats for sure. We do not even have cell phones yet. It is great that you are good with technology. I still have much to learn. I hope you enjoy your day wherever it may take you!!! God Bless Veronica
I'm not that sure I'm a step ahead of anyone really Veronica, so I'm pretty much just giving Twitter a look right now. If I do decide to use it I wont be on it very much though, I dont want to sit behind my computer any longer than I already do! And I believe in more of human contact anyway but it can be one tool to let folks know what my next post might be, and maybe attract a few more to Amish Stories. Good night everyone. Richard
I do enjoy this…someday I hope I find time to go back to the beginning and see all I have missed.
Hi Richard! I enjoyed the post. Very informative. Blessings~Lissa
Hi Rose and I think when you do go back you will see that the newer posts on Amish Stories tend to be a little better I think, but that is the blogs history (going back to the beginning) and I had to start out somehow. Thanks Lissa glad you enjoyed it, I will down the road be posting a little more from the folks at Amish country News. Richard