Amish belief has a secondary place for women. Their family life has a patriarchal structure. They say that the roles of women are considered equally important to those of men. Nevertheless, women are very unequal in terms of authority. The unmarried Amish women remain under the control of their fathers. Wives are submissive to their husbands. The important Amish rule is that only males are eligible to become Church officials.
An Amish girl is grown up without knowledge about sexuality or pregnancy. They have less freedom in sexual matters as well. Amish women play a subordinate role in family life. Some Amish teens sneak out at night to drink alcohol. Amish women are not supposed to drink alcohol. They even take illegal drugs experimentally.
Some Amish teens sneak out with their boy friends and when they become pregnant, they are truly surprised and shocked. The Amish women are taught to live with the traditional ways. They always have to live under the control of the men of their family. Some Amish women do not like it though they continue to live as Amish women.
The most miserable thing about Amish women is that they can learn only Pennsylvania Dutch and English languages. Nevertheless, the Amish use a Bible written in High German. The Amish women cannot attend school past the 8th grade. Bible study is prohibited to Amish women. Nevertheless, the Amish women have learnt to live with these traditions.
The way the Amish dress sets them apart from modern day life. It is distinctive and unique. Amish women cannot wear jewelry. Amish do not allow tattoos. The Amish women cannot cut their hair, and it is parted at the middle. Men live with beards and when they get married, they live without a moustache. Some Amish use buttons while some reject them.
The dress of Amish men indicates to which type of Amish group they belong. The hat they wear tells their group. The Amish woman wears a white prayer cap. Girls who are in the age between 12 and marriage wear a black cap instead of a white cap for Sunday dress. They wear a white cap at home. According to the Amish, marriage means that a young man and young woman should give up their not so good adolescent behavior and start to live as respectable members of the community.
Marriage is a very important event for the Amish. Most Amish marry between the ages of 19 and 25. Raising a family is the real career of Amish adults. An Amish couple wants to have many children .In Amish community big family is very desirable. They believe it is a blessing from God. Therefore, they are against birth control. The Amish are given baptism after 18 years. The Amish life between 16 years and baptism is liberal as they are neither under the control of their parents nor the churches. The Amish culture is truly distinctive.
