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From the lens Amish Women.

Do you have questions you'd like to see here? Comments? Resources? Stories? Articles? Please let me know and together we can make this a great and interesting lense!

  • TapIn2U May 24, 2012 @ 8:18 am | delete
    So interesting to read. Great lens! Sundae ;-)
  • drbilltellsexcitingstories May 9, 2012 @ 5:49 pm | delete
    Thanks for sharing! ;-)
  • Seema ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 2:09 pm | delete
    Bonnets represents some cultural significance to Amish women. Women of a community wears white bonnet, while others wear back ones. Does it sigfines any communal difference?
  • Seema Ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    I kept wincing about the length of hair they might be having at the age of 60. Apart from this, the bonnet they wear gives a new perspective to the feminist study. This lens is just awesome!
  • Seema Ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:56 pm | delete
    The way whole information is caricatured, is pretty smiling. It is the first time I got to know so much about Amish women. Keep it up!
  • Seema Ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    Eveybody has a freedom of expression. However, the way Amish women are being caged in the traditional clutches, is not fair.
  • Seema ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    Hair is symbol of passion, love and joyful nature of women. This amazing fact that Amish women don't cut their hair and let it grow like a bun makes me quite fasinating to explore a little more about them.
  • Seema Ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    I like the beautiful dreesing code followed by Amish women. The traditional hair bun is highly alluring.
  • Seema Ladsaria Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:08 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens! I could see the harsh and rigrous life imposed on Amish women. It appears as if they subjected stiff colonial rules:(
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:16 am | delete
    It is the frugality of the life that actually sets them apart and also helps in maintaining a community feeling!!
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:37 am | delete
    Lenses on Amish always make a good read!
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:28 am | delete
    The head covering of the Amish Women is something really wonderful! It helps understand how subtle things in life can have a substantial significance and importance!
  • mini100 Apr 6, 2012 @ 8:13 pm | delete
    I believe also that this lens is very nicely done and portrays the Amish women in an honest and complimentary way. My youngest brother married a girl who came from the Old Order Amish. (Old Order means the plain, original, horse-n -buggy Amish)
  • mini100 Apr 6, 2012 @ 8:07 pm | delete
    I have to smile at your words "It is slow and hard work to get information out of Amish women about their lifestyles, the way they think and what they care most about, in their own words. I spend time with them two or three times a year, and so this page will grow slowly!" LOL! I can only imagine! I myself grew up as an Old Order Mennonite, which follow a lot of the same practices as the Amish. I have to admit, the info on this lens is very accurate and honest, as far as I can tell - good job! keep up the great work!
  • Spook Mar 25, 2012 @ 10:20 am | delete
    It sure sounds as if it is a very hard and frugal life. The point being that if you are happy with it, what concern is it of other people who may frown on it?
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:39 am | delete
    I agree Spook, But its us the people who have the bad habit of judging everyone with the same scale.
  • siobhanryan Mar 21, 2012 @ 12:01 am | delete
    Enjoyed and the lens is a nice compliment to the Amish ladies
  • poddys Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    There were some Amish communities in Indiana where I used to live. Having watched some documentaries on the Amish recently, it's a hard life, especially in some of the stricter families, but their Christian ethics and sense of community are good to have.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:40 am | delete
    Yes Poddys! Their ethics is something that the dedicate their lives to! And i believe it is also a subtle sense of understanding that has helped them survive for so many years, while other similar communities died out with time.
  • LewesDE Feb 17, 2012 @ 3:45 am | delete
    Nice lens. Interesting reading!
  • Gokce Dec 11, 2011 @ 7:44 am | delete
    Can anyone explain me briefly that why amish men do not cut their beard and amish women do not cut their hair? Is there special reason for that? thank you from now
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:39 pm | delete
    Amish men show they are married by growing a beard. They can be clean shaven until that time. The women are told in scripture that their hair is their glory, so they grow it, but since it is also said that the man's glory is the woman, and all glory is God's they cover their hair with a prayer cap, and the only one who can see her hair down is her husband.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:41 am | delete
    Wow! That's an interesting piece of information Margaret!
  • jeff chedester Jul 20, 2011 @ 9:40 pm | delete
    my wife used to be amish (jeffreychedester@hotmail.com)
  • briana Aug 1, 2009 @ 4:08 pm | delete
    I'm going to do a power point for my mom on the life style and traditions of the Amish. I'm going to do this because today we went to go get milk at an Amish place and i was asking her questions about them she said she didn't know and if i wanted to know to research it. Well I'm researching and i haven't found much so here are some questions I'm wonder. First, why do the Amish women never cut their hair? Next, is there a specific reason why the Amish women put their hair in buns? Next, do the Amish women change their dress color when they get older, if they do what is the pattern? Next, why do the Amish men wear straw hats and trousers why don't they wear pants and a tee shirt? Do the Amish still not use electricity? If they don't what do they use for light? Candles? I might have more later :)
  • Julie Turner Feb 17, 2010 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    Hi Briana, Amish women have long hair because in the Bible (1 Corinthians 11) it speaks of a womans long hair being her glory. Like a gift from the Lord. The women keep their hair up in a bun, but the only person who gets to see their long hair is their family and their husbands. The amish men wear straw hats and trousers as part of their traditional dress and they also do not want to dress the way the world does. the idea is to be seperate in all things, including how they dress.
    The amish use gas lamps or battery powered torches for light. The Amish feel that
    Electricity would connect them to the world and this is what they are trying to avoid.
  • natalie Apr 18, 2011 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    hi, to answer you question if you still are wondering. Amish women don't cut there hair because its a biblical command there hair is considered a type of head covering. they put there hair in buns so that they can cover there hair with a prayer covering( using a prayer covering signify that you are a born again Christian) they use a cape dress pattern, the Amish are plan so they try and keep the same color dresses. most community don't make the men wear straw hats its just a preference of there own. they wear trousers for the same reason the women wear dresses because the bible stated the christian should be separate form the world and also conservative. some community's can use electricity like if they have a business they use generators. they run gas into there houses and barns by pipes which can be lit to make gas light. but in they are a pain if it gets to windy they wont work as good or if they just dust inside them. Also a lot of communities allow cell phones or a phone in a designated building if they need to make emergency calls. if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    The Amish make their own clothing according to traditional patterns. Since they never want to be mistaken for a military person, they do not wear buttons of any kind, and in our modern society they also don't wear t-shirts. It is a rare Amish woman who is permitted to wear any pattern, and most communities don't even allow bright colors, although some do It is very important for them to be 'in the world but not of it' so they do not hook up to electricity in their homes, and while they on occasion must use a phone, there is one phone booth for the entire neighborhood and they must walk to it or take their buggy. For working in darker light, they use gaslights, battery operated lights, flashlights and candles. It is surprising how well they do without it! .
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:12 am | delete
    The subtlety and simplicity of the Amish is what sets them apart!
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:19 am | delete
    Wow Briana, that is a really interesting activity. Do share the same with us!
  • Regina Sep 12, 2008 @ 2:29 pm | delete
    I read manyu books about the Amish religion. It is not according to the Bible. the people may look holy, but they refuse to believe all the Bible says.
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    Its hardly a reason to condemn them as the same accusation can be made of every Christian and Christian denomination. However, they have managed to do what other Christians haven't, and that is to keep their families together. Infidelity and divorce are extremely low, they do not abort nor use contraception. Their entire families read scripture together, pray together and worship together. They take care of one another. Their work and products are so good because they want to feel confident about presenting their work to God, and if they do, then it is worthy to sell. They are honest and very hard working. They don't lie. Their entire lives are oriented around Scripture as they understand it. When we face our judgment, I would rather face the Good Lord as a faithful Amish than almost any other Christian.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:20 am | delete
    I agree to your POV Margeret, I believe that an individual's relationship with God is his or her private matter. As such, no one has the right to comment on the same.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:45 am | delete
    Yes Regina,
    They also have some philosophy and beliefs of their own!
  • Marijana Jul 22, 2008 @ 6:03 am | delete
    What does it mean if a woman takes her bonnet off? I watched Witness for English at school and Rachel takes her bonnet off before kissing amother man. Does this have any significance?
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:51 pm | delete
    It meant she was setting aside her upbringing in order to kiss this guy. She no longer considered herself Amish except in an ethnic way.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 5:46 am | delete
    U think it was maybe her husband and hence she took off the bonnet
  • karen holm Jun 2, 2008 @ 12:14 pm | delete
    I love the why amish people live and me and my husband live kind of like them i love to live clouse to them i hope one day soon i will my the good Lord always bliss them.
  • Donna Hostutler Feb 17, 2008 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    good evening. I am looking for a few good used prayer coverings (round) Does anyone know of a site that I can go to? My husband is very ill and I dont have alot of money but I have prayed about this and I know this what I am to do. If anyone could lead me in the right direction, it would help so very much. God bless everyone Donna Hostutler
  • bizbee Feb 14, 2008 @ 2:07 pm | delete
    Hi,

    Love the information and hope to see more.

    Barbara
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:05 am | delete
    HEy Barbara,

    Check out these links for more info on the wonderful Amish Community.

    http://www.squidoo.com/amishshooting

    http://www.squidoo.com/amish

    http://www.squidoo.com/amishrecipes
  • jeffwend Sep 27, 2007 @ 1:28 am | delete
    So far so good Margaret, I can't wait to come back and learn some more about Amish lifestyles.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:13 am | delete
    Hey Jeffwend,
    I am sure you will like to check out these lenses too for more info on the Amish community.
    http://www.squidoo.com/amishrecipes
  • MarcyG Sep 20, 2007 @ 6:38 pm | delete
    My father must have 10 years worth of National Geographic magazines in his office at home. I hope he never sells them.
  • laura. Sep 15, 2007 @ 4:27 pm | delete
    i was amish but i wanted to be a doctor so i left it was wonderful and i am thinking of going back.
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:53 pm | delete
    Most Amish do go back. Living in modern society is a lonely experience, and discovering that nobody cares is horribly painful. Humans are meant to live in family groups and supportive communities, and this society has been intent on destroying those very things. I don't blame anyone for wanting to return, no matter how 'successful' they have become in the world. We still have human hearts, human souls, and human needs.
  • Minali Apr 23, 2012 @ 6:10 am | delete
    Hey Laura,
    Do tell us more about your community. I love learning about the ways of life followed by the people who are not exactly in the mainstream. It is certainly fascinating
  • ank Jun 21, 2007 @ 2:24 pm | delete
    Hi Margaret_Schaut, great lens . I have also created my lens in which I have provided indepth knowledge about home based business. To get more info
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  • alfi_forever Jun 17, 2007 @ 9:30 am | delete
    iam like to amish woman..iam from indonsia
  • Kelly Jan 29, 2007 @ 5:55 pm | delete
    when I was kid I remember reading somewhere this if an Amish woman was caught in adultery they would shave her head as a sign of shame so that everyone in the community would know what she had done,,,,is this true?
  • Margaret_Schaut Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    I doubt this is true. Infidelity in a marriage is a community problem as much as a marriage problem, and like other problems the entire community works hard to help couples save their marriages that are going wrong, or to help keep the marriages good. Children do best in two parent families and extended families and the Amish, including individual Amish people, take this very seriously. Therefore, such things are kept INSIDE the community, not broadcast outside of it.
  • access2 Jan 23, 2007 @ 4:34 am | delete
    Yay! The "Plexo" link to National Geographic is just what the doctor ordered. I want to make the NG Group easy to join, but lenses need to be "on topic." I see you also added the National Geographic tag. Good for you!

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GreatGazoo

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