Bonnets, Buggies, and Sexual Abuse

I've been wanting to blog about sexual abuse within the Amish culture but, my friend Mary DeMuth beat me to it.

Before I give you the link to Mary's post, I want to say I've heard stories, too. Brother on sister. Father on daughter. School boy on school boy. Deviant sexual behavior happens within some of the Amish orders causing irreparable damage, which is carried out when/if they leave. (Tweet This)

Since Mary has a different perspective and she's a skilled wordsmith, I encourage you to read her blog and leave her a comment or comment here below.

See ya next week.

(c)Copyright 2013, Brenda Nixon.

Amish Vaccinations for Kids

As a parent, I care about my children's health and future success. One way for me to insure their health was to immunize them when they were babies. I religiously followed the CDC schedule. It is a curiosity to me the vaccine debate that continues (it was around when I was a new mom); I've heard both sides, and do believe it's a parent's right to choose. 

I've also fielded questions from people about the Amish vaccination of their kids. I think the culture - as a whole - may feel that group immunity protects their children so most Orders avoid immunizations. Remember, the parents raise their kids to stay safely within - and carry on - their culture. 

With our Mosie, Harvey, Josh, and others I closely know from the Swartzentruber Order, no immunizations were given. 

As an infant, Harvey barely survived when he contracted whooping cough. And as children, others suffered some illnesses we, non-Amish, avoid. Also, when I help ex-Swartzentrubers get their birth certificate and/or Social Security number, it can be a challenge because most have no medical records. Not that I care but, the Social Security Administration office asks for "proof" of U.S. citizenship citing one form is: a medical record.

Uphill Battle: Ex-Amish Struggle for a GED

Many of those who leave the Amish life struggle in our English world. One reason: our emphasis on education and earning degrees. This mindset is counter-cultural to the Amish, who conclude their education at 8th grade.

Why?

Education, they believe, is necessary only to support skills in their world like farming, math, reading, and writing. Anything beyond is unnecessary to their way of life. Any interest in higher education is suppressed. They want to preserve their community and way of life as they see it.

Most Amish do not celebrate individualism or individual achievement. 

Also, their belief system is against a large consolidated school system, preferring a one-room school serving children within the local settlement. Most Amish children walk to school. Harvey's tiny school was perched on a small rise near his farm.

When an Amish person leaves, he/she discovers that our society demands a broader, higher education - a minimum of high school diploma or GED. Many jobs or employers won't consider a candidate without this minimum education. And with today's high unemployment, college educated people are now competing with others (or stepping down) to apply for jobs requiring at least a diploma.

The struggle to study and earn a GED is mammoth because . . . 

Monroe on the Run, Part II

Running from his repressive Swartzentruber Order, Monroe came to us straight off the farm. Denied coat hangers, music, sunglasses, ball gloves, electricity, mother hugs, education beyond 8th grade, dental care and more, he's had - and will have - many "first" experiences!

My husband and I are blessed . . . and enriched . . . that we were chosen to welcome Monroe, help him begin life on the "outside" and to share some of his "firsts" in the English world.

We also have had the responsibility of helping him experience not-so-pleasant "firsts" like severely burned ears! People don't realize that the first time an Amish male cuts his long hair and tosses aside his hat that his once hidden ears are exposed to the sun. And, wow, did Monroe's ears suffer from raw sunburn the first weeks. He burned, peeled, picked, bled, and burned again. My sofa still shows greasy stains from Monroe reclining while his ears were coated in pain relieving gel. Eww.

I taught him how to put gas in a car and was with him when he first enjoyed the airy sugar on a stick - cotton candy. He wasn't allowed to attend fairs or festivals, so he'd never tasted this common fair food. Unlike the other ex-Amish we know, Monroe has a sweet tooth - his first time to hear that expression - and to this day devours sugary snacks! Without refrigeration, he rarely had ice cream. Nowadays he buys a bucket of it and eats nearly the entire thing in one sitting.