Amish Population: Ways to evaluate, engage, assess, and intervene

“There can be no assumption that today's majority is "right" and the Amish and others like them are "wrong." A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no rights or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different.”

Etiquette Ask for permission ▫Pictures  Many do NOT allow photographs to be taken due to religious beliefs because it is forbidden to show pride in one’s appearance AND the Bible forbids making “graven images” Do not stare, gawk, or be disrespectful ▫These are human beings, not animals at the zoo ▫Respect privacy ▫If a need arises to approach a group of Amish, it is polite to speak to the male, if possible

Etiquette Plan accordingly if taking a trip ▫Certain shops & attractions are closed on Sunday, certain holidays, & some traditional Amish businesses may be closed on Tuesdays Amish buggies have the same rights to the roadway as other’s driving automobiles ▫Be patient ▫Give plenty of room when passing or following ▫Car horns can spook the horses ▫Don’t pass on the top of a hill ▫At night, keep headlights on low-beam ▫Don’t feed or pet horses tied to a hitching rail or harnessed to a buggy

Ways to Successful Intervention Understand values, beliefs, practices, & customs ▫People of faith & practices reflect beliefs ▫Abide by Ordnung, rules for daily living ▫Do value safety & personal health ▫Community vs. Individual Collaborate with others ▫Church, Organized Committees, Family, Camps, Fairs, Conferences, Fellowships, etc.  Safety Programs for Youth  Health Fairs  If technology draws in people through “fellowship,” then the church is more likely to indulge

Ways to Successful Intervention Population has rich resources (strength) ▫Faith & religious beliefs can provide comfort in times of trauma, grief, challenges ▫Literature available can be shared with others in the community (cookbooks, self-help books, quilting, learning to communicate, education, farming, home remedies, etc.) Use language that both the helper & ones being helped can understand ▫Languages Spoken  Pennsylvania German also known as Pennsylvania Dutch  English (Typically learned in school & is 2 nd language)  Bernese Swiss German  Standard German

Church Amish & Mennonite Heritage Centers ▫ Mennonite Church Publications Christian Light Education Community Newspapers, Magazines, & Bulletins Websites ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ (Weekly newspaper) Libraries ▫Ohio Amish Library Inc. Resources to Consider

References Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2013, from Greksa, L. P., & Korbin, J. E. (2004). Amish. In C. E. Ember, Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, Volume 2: Cultures (pp ). New York: Kluwer Acadeic/Plenum Press. Guru, T. (2012, March 1). Genomics, plain and simple. Nature, pp Kalona Tourism Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2013, from MennoMedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2013, from Ohio Amish Country. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2013, from