Amish Hygiene & Lifestyle: Bathing, Babies, Buggies, and Beyond – Unpacking the Plain People’s World
Ever wondered how the Amish manage daily life? Their simple existence includes hygiene too. Spoiler alert: it is not what you expect. Dive into their nuanced hygiene practices and lifestyle choices. Prepare to have some assumptions gently turned around.
Amish Hygiene Practices: Cleanliness is Next to Godliness (Even Without Gadgets)
Forget dusty living. Amish folks are clean. They value hygiene and keep homes neat. Their methods might appear old-fashioned. Think of it as rustic hygiene. It is effective without electricity or modern gadgets.
Bathing and Showering: Soap, Water, and Maybe a Gas-Powered Heater
Do the Amish bathe? Yes. And shower too. They use soap and water. Some homes have indoor plumbing. Hot water? Some communities use gas-powered heaters. Imagine a hot shower after a long day. For some, water comes from wells. Baths take place in small spaces designed for function.
How often do they bathe? It varies. In summer heat, conservative Amish might bathe twice a week to fight dirt. Women might bathe more often and usually lead in cleanliness. New Order Amish enjoy more frequent baths due to running water. Some families even make outdoor showers for summer fun. Soap is used, sometimes homemade. It depends on community views of plain living.
Dental Hygiene: Maybe Not Twice a Day, But Still…
Here’s a statistic. Many Amish reportedly do not brush their teeth as often as others. About two-thirds brush less than once a day. Only 1.3% brush twice daily, while 2.6% admit never brushing. Perhaps they rely on chewing for their dental health.
Menstrual Hygiene: Pads, Tampons, and Practicality
Menstrual hygiene matters in Amish life. Many women use pads or tampons. This dispels myths about using only traditional methods. There are no religious rules against modern products. Some choose cloth pads for practicality. Many women wear dark clothes for safety.
Deodorant Use: Au Naturel is the Way to Go
Conservative Amish often avoid deodorants and lotions. They focus on cleanliness, washing, and wearing clean clothes. Embracing natural scent is the norm. Keeping things simple leads this choice.
Use of Mirrors: Practical Reflection, Not Vanity
Despite avoiding photographs, Amish people use mirrors. Mirrors serve practical purposes, not vanity. Women use them to style hair; men use them for shaving. They focus on functionality instead.
Toilet Practices: Outhouses and Composting Toilets – Back to Basics
Many Amish use outhouses or composting toilets. This aligns with their preference for non-electric sanitation. Yet, regulations may lead to modern solutions. Some use indoor toilets when local health rules require it. These toilets are typically low-tech, keeping with simplicity. For in-depth toilet practices, you can read this article on Amish toilets.
Amish Reproductive Health and Practices: Family Matters
Family is central in Amish life. Their views on reproduction blend tradition and practicality. Different Amish orders have varying interpretations.
Birth Control: A Spectrum of Views
Birth control is not a simple issue within the Amish community. Some churches allow contraception for spacing children. Others prohibit modern methods entirely. Natural methods, like tracking temperatures, may be used instead. This spectrum varies among Amish families.
Pregnancy and Childbirth: Midwives and Home Births, But Hospitals Too
Many Amish women choose midwife-assisted home births or birthing centers. Midwives play a significant role in these communities. Hospital births are also common for first babies or complications. Amish communities do not reject modern medicine when necessary.
Breastfeeding: Encouraged and Successful
Breastfeeding is encouraged in Amish culture. Studies reveal high breastfeeding rates. One showed 83% continued breastfeeding at six weeks, rising to 100% by two years! Amish mothers value prolonged breastfeeding.
Fertility and Family Size: Large Families are the Norm
Large families are celebrated among the Amish. They generally do not aim to limit family size. Having many children is viewed as a blessing.
Condom Use: Strictly Forbidden
Condoms are forbidden in Amish culture. They fall under “modern and artificial” methods, conflicting with core Amish values. The rejection of modern things is fundamental to their way of life.
Amish Marriage and Courtship: Bundling and a Board
Courtship and marriage in Amish culture rely on tradition and religious values. It revolves around bundling boards and community-style weddings.
Marriage Age: Young Love, Amish Style
Amish youth typically start dating around age 16. Most marry between ages 20 and 22, with some marrying even at 19 or 20. Early marriage is common and reflects the value of family.
Courtship Practices: Bundling – Close but Not Too Close
Bundling raises eyebrows. Young couples sleep together in bed while fully clothed, often separated by a wooden board. This practice is common in conservative Old Order Amish groups. It allows couples to know each other within strict moral codes.
Restrictions on Physical Intimacy: No Touching Before “I Do”
Amish couples follow strict rules against physical intimacy before marriage. Sexual activity is strongly discouraged, reinforcing the ideals of purity within marriage.
Wedding Night: Family First
The wedding night is often a community event initially. Newlyweds usually spend their first night at the bride’s parents’ home. In some groups, they may wash clothes together early the next morning as tradition.
A married couple is integral to family and community life, expected to assist in post-wedding events and cleanup.
Divorce: Not an Option
Divorce holds no place in Amish life. The Amish church sees marriage as unbreakable. Seeking a divorce means abandoning the Amish faith, leading to excommunication. Such events are rare and significant.
Intermarriage and Inbreeding: Cousin Considerations
Marrying a first cousin is not allowed. However, second cousins can marry within Amish communities. They are often isolated, which raises inbreeding concerns. These marriage rules aim to reduce risks associated with these issues.
Amish Lifestyle and Technology: A Deliberate Simplicity
The Amish stand out for their careful technology choices and commitment to simplicity. They don’t reject everything modern but make deliberate decisions.
Rejection of Modern Technology: Horses, Buggies, and No Public Grid
Stereotypes about the Amish hold some truth. Most groups use horse and buggy for travel, avoid public electricity, and shun televisions and computers. Their style is plain, with men sporting beards. Education stops at eighth grade. Church services occur in homes, highlighting their community focus.
Acceptance of Some Technologies: Gas and Diapers – Practicality Wins
They don’t reject all modern things entirely. The Amish think practically. They often use gas for appliances instead of electricity. Many electric appliances convert to gas. Surprisingly, they accept inline skates, disposable diapers, cell phones for business, and gas tools. Disposable diapers are common in Amish households. It’s about practicality.
Simplicity and Community: Cornerstones of Amish Life
Simplicity guides their hygiene, social interactions, and economic views. Community holds equal importance. Amish beliefs stop them from accepting government aid. They believe in mutual assistance within their community and reliance on God, rather than on government help. For more on the Amish, check out this resource.
“Ordnung”: The Rules of the Road
The “Ordnung” is the governing set of rules in Amish life. It varies by community but generally prohibits car ownership, public electricity, and media access. Attendance at high school or college is also forbidden. The Ordnung sets standards for plain dress. This framework maintains their distinct lifestyle.
Amish Interactions with the Outside World: Navigating Two Worlds
Although they maintain separation, the Amish engage with the outside world regarding healthcare, education, and finances.
Healthcare: Modern Medicine When Needed
It’s incorrect to say the Amish wholly avoid modern medicine. They can access medical care and hospitals without restriction. They do not participate in Social Security and usually reject health insurance. They may not prioritize preventive care but seek help for acute illnesses. Their faith allows modern treatment based on practicality.
Education: Eighth Grade and Done
Amish children usually complete formal education after eighth grade. This practice reflects a focus on practical skills and community-based learning over higher education.
Social Security Numbers: Only When Necessary
Amish beliefs regarding self-reliance compel them to avoid government benefits. They seldom get Social Security numbers unless necessary for jobs. Amish can request exemptions from Social Security taxes for religious reasons using Form 4029.
Financial Practices: Debt-Free Living
The Amish generally avoid debt, preferring cash or checks over credit cards and loans. This conservative financial approach fosters stability and resilience within their community. Debt-free living is a significant principle.
Amish Culture and Values: Family, Modesty, and Faith
Cultural and religious values shape daily life for the Amish.
Family and Children: A Joyful Blessing
Amish families tend to be large, averaging six or seven children. Pregnancy is celebrated joyfully within families. Baby showers and lavish gifts are absent from tradition. The arrival of each new baby is a highly anticipated event.
Modesty and Humility: Values in Action
Modesty and humility hold great importance for the Amish. This applies beyond clothing to behaviors and interactions. Interestingly, this humility can lead some families to adopt children from diverse backgrounds, showing compassion that extends beyond their community.
Religion and Faith: The Foundation of Everything
Religion serves as the foundation of Amish life. Their faith in community support and reliance on God drive their rejection of government aid and commitment to a simple existence based on faith.
Amish Identity and Transitions: Rumspringa and Leaving the Fold
Even in their stable world, certain transitions shape the Amish identity.
Rumspringa: A Time of Exploration
Rumspringa is often misunderstood as rebellion. Instead, it marks a “coming of age” for Amish teens, usually starting at age 16. This period allows youth to explore the outside world and discover how they wish to integrate into their community.
Leaving the Community: A Choice, But With Consequences
Leaving the Amish community is always an option open to anyone. Members can depart at any time. Some communities accept transitions to similar churches, while others may shun those who leave, emphasizing the strong social ties within Amish society.
This offers a glimpse into the Amish lifestyle, values, and hygiene practices. It reflects a balance of choices, community focus, and a blend of tradition with practicality. Their world may seem simpler yet also complex.
