Maintenance of the old order Amish tradition

Abstract

For over 200 years the Old Order Amish have consciously attempted to maintain an ideology which includes a preference for a plain, non-worldly life style. Their attempts have proven to be extremely successful. In this study, the author has examined the stages of development through which a member of the Old Order Amish passes as well as the important events which mark the transition from one stage to another. This was done in order to determine contributing elements which result in the successful maintenance of the Old Order Amish culture. Through examination of the stages of development it has been shown that the stability of traditions through consistent childrearing practices has been the major element in the maintenance of this culture.