amish population: ways to evaluate, engage, assess, and intervene
TRANSCRIPT
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 2nd language) Bernese Swiss German Standard German
• Church• Amish & Mennonite Heritage Centers
▫ www.behalt.com
• Mennonite Church Publications• Christian Light Education• Community Newspapers, Magazines, & Bulletins • Websites
▫ www.faithandliferesources.org▫ www.kalonaiowa.org▫ www.ohioamishcountry.com▫ www.etown.edu▫ www.thebudgetnewspaper.com (Weekly newspaper)
• Libraries▫ Ohio Amish Library Inc.
Resources to Consider
References
• Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.behalt.com/index.htm
• Greksa, L. P., & Korbin, J. E. (2004). Amish. In C. E. Ember, Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology, Volume 2: Cultures (pp. 557-564). New York: Kluwer Acadeic/Plenum Press.
• Guru, T. (2012, March 1). Genomics, plain and simple. Nature, pp. 20-22.
• Kalona Tourism Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.kalonaiowa.org/
• MennoMedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2013, from http://www.faithandliferesources.org/
• Ohio Amish Country. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2013, from http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/index.html