Do you think the Amish are limiting there children?

Question

I saw these barefoot Amish children walking along side the road one day while driving through the rural areas in my state. I felt bad that they will probably not be able to go to college or experience the same things my children will get to experience in life. What if they long to be separate from that society one day and join ours? Why do they have to be limited just because their parents chose that type of lifestyle? Any views on this?

Answer 1

Actually, every Amish person gets an opportunity when they are a young adult to take a sabbatical and enjoy our world for one year to see if they want to leave.

Most return to the Amish after that year claiming that "the english" as they call us, are very sinful and self absorbed and the technology makes us very lazy and judgemental.

Maybe it's us you should feel bad for.

The Amish do wonderful things to grow healthy food and they are not harming the environment at all. I wish we could all be a little more Amish (which translated, means "plain").

Good Question though...

Answer 2

This is the way the Amish choose to live there lives and the children seem happy! I know sevral Amish children and they have no problem being Amish! I dont think the are limited at all i think they are lucky. The Amish way of like is how i plan on raising my own children someday!!

Answer 3

I don't believe they are limiting their children at all. There is a point in there teenage years ( at 15 I think it is ) that the children are let out into the big wide world. They can do anything they want and after twelve months have to decide to return to there community or not. They are given the option this way. I write this from memory of a documentary i watch. Some of the kids in it did not go back but most of them did. Maybe you should investigate further before forming a solid opinion.

Answer 4

You should see the video "Devil's Playground" which focuses on Amish teens going through 'Rumspringa' which is when they get to cut loose from their family and traditions, do whatever they want, and then decide how they want to spend the rest of their lives -- either back with their Amish communities, or in our world. Those kids are brought up terrifically and I think most American parents could learn a lot from watching the Amish ways.

Answer 5

In some ways yes. In other ways no.The Amish have a strong religious past And a even stronger traditional Pass. That in their mind must be maintained. And maintaining it has created a very heavy price price tag in our mind. But as far as we can see which is very limited, so how can we say that their religion is in-correct and so what they do and teach their families is also in-correct. We can't even Begin to say that, So what will be will be period. Until we know more there is nothing else to be said.

Answer 6

No, the amish get more tax breaks than you nor I could imagine!Most of the kids that go through the sabbaticall end up with sex,drugs and rock and roll but when they return are forgiven.It's kind of like the Catholics forgiving their priests for having sex with young boys then forgiving them so they can keep their church going.

Answer 7

They have the choice upon reaching adulthood whether or not to join the church. Most Amish parents seem to think the same as you only pitying your children.

Answer 8

It's all about culture. I asked myself that very same question. Howcome they don't have a choice. Watching the Discovery & TLC channels taught me alot about various teaching and lifestyles of others. It sorta puts your life into perspective. Quite frankly they find our lives to be hectic.

Answer 9

The really cool thing about having children is...
You get to decide how they are raised.