Two Reasons Why Amish LIMIT Education

Summary

The video explains why Amish children typically stop formal education after eighth grade, focusing on two key reasons: practicality and religious beliefs. Amish occupations, like farming and woodworking, prioritize hands-on skills over abstract learning, which they believe is unnecessary after basic education. Additionally, Amish values, grounded in a literal interpretation of the Bible, oppose the ideas often promoted in higher education, such as evolution. The video also touches on the Amish’s preference for small, community-based schools, the role of religion in their lives, and the impact of the 1972 Supreme Court decision in Wisconsin v. Yoder, which reinforced their educational choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Amish education typically ends after eighth grade, as the focus is on practical skills for manual and craftsmanship-based occupations.
• 😀 The Amish prioritize hands-on learning and apprenticeship over abstract academic education, seeing it as more aligned with their lifestyle.
• 😀 Amish objections to higher education stem from religious beliefs, such as rejecting the theory of evolution and viewing it as contrary to their Christian values.
• 😀 Amish families often educate their children in small, one-room Amish-run schools, where grades 1 through 8 are taught by one or two teachers.
• 😀 Core subjects taught in Amish schools include reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, and German language, with limited science instruction.
• 😀 Amish schools may offer some health education, but science and other subjects are generally not prioritized.
• 😀 The Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch (or Pennsylvania German) as their primary language, though church services are conducted in Church German.
• 😀 Some Amish children attend public schools, particularly in certain communities, but it is less common than Amish-run schools.
• 😀 After eighth grade, some Amish may pursue additional courses, such as accounting for business purposes, though continuing formal education is rare.
• 😀 The 1972 Supreme Court ruling in Wisconsin vs. Yoder allowed the Amish to limit their children's formal education to eighth grade, recognizing their educational preferences.
• 😀 While Amish culture does not prioritize formal higher education, it does not discourage lifelong learning. Amish individuals often engage in self-study and may have private libraries.

Q & A

Why do the Amish typically end formal education after the eighth grade?

The Amish stop schooling after eighth grade primarily for two reasons: practicality and religious values. Their occupations are mainly manual or craftsmanship-oriented, so advanced academic education is seen as unnecessary. Additionally, higher education is viewed as potentially promoting ideas contrary to Amish beliefs.

What kinds of occupations are common among the Amish that influence their approach to education?

Amish people often work as farmers, woodworkers, and builders. These hands-on occupations require practical skills rather than abstract academic knowledge, influencing their limited formal education model.

How do Amish schools typically operate?

Amish schools are usually one-room schoolhouses run by the Amish community, serving grades one through eight. They often have a single teacher, usually a young Amish woman, and may include an assistant. Education focuses on practical skills like reading, writing, arithmetic, and basic geography and history.

What subjects are emphasized in Amish education?

Amish schools emphasize the three R's—reading, writing, and arithmetic—along with some history, geography, and German language training. Science and other modern subjects are taught minimally, if at all.

What is the role of religion in Amish schools?

Formal religious education is not part of the Amish school curriculum. Religious instruction occurs outside of school. However, Amish schools may include prayer and the singing of religious songs as part of daily activities.

Why do the Amish object to higher education from a religious perspective?

The Amish believe higher education may expose students to ideas contrary to their Christian faith, such as evolution or secular philosophies. They also view large, centralized schools as inconsistent with their small-scale, rural values.

What was the significance of the 1972 Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder?

The 1972 Wisconsin v. Yoder case affirmed the right of Amish parents to limit their children's formal education to the eighth grade. The ruling recognized the Amish way of life and religious freedom as valid reasons for this educational limit.

Do all Amish communities follow the same education practices?

No, there are differences among Amish communities. More conservative (plain) groups often have more limited schooling, while more progressive groups may offer slightly broader education or even send children to public schools in some cases.

Do any Amish pursue education beyond the eighth grade?

While rare, some Amish individuals may pursue further education such as taking specific practical courses (e.g., accounting for business), obtaining a GED, or even attending high school. However, these cases are exceptions rather than the norm.

Are the Amish opposed to learning or intellectual growth?

No, the Amish are not anti-education. They value lifelong learning through practical experience, reading, and self-study. Many Amish maintain personal libraries and continue to learn informally throughout their lives.

What languages are taught in Amish schools?

Amish students learn both English and German. They speak Pennsylvania Dutch (a dialect of German) at home, and they are also taught 'High German,' which is used in church and religious texts.

How does the Amish education system reflect their cultural values?

Amish education emphasizes community, simplicity, and practicality. It prepares children for roles within their rural and religious society rather than encouraging individual advancement or careerism outside the Amish way of life.