Book
A study of acculturation in an Amish community
University Microfilms • Ann Arbor, Michigan • Published In 1987 • Pages:
By: Smith, Elmer Lewis.
Abstract
The author of this source defines his focus as the Amish value system as it relates to socio-cultural continuity and change among the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the author presents no separate, extended discussion of the Amish value system, but rather examines Amish values in a rather cursory way in a discussion of various dimensions of Amish culture and social organization. The dimensions of culture and social organization examined include religion and the church, home, family and kinship, work, dress and personal adornment, social activities, education, life cycle, and prestige, status, and power. He then discusses the implication of Old Order Amish values as he has uncovered them for change in various arenas of Amish life, including residential stability, social interaction within and outside the Amish community, marriage and the family, work, religion and education. The author's general conclusion is rather uninteresting: some Amish values provide avenues for change while others inhibit change and promote cultural continuity and stability. Judging from the author's own comments, he did not achieve a high degree of acceptance by the Amish community in Lancaster County. Thus, one must be suspicious of how thoroughly the author was able to examine the value system of the Old Order Amish. This may account for his rather superficial discussion of values and the relationship between values and socio-cultural change among the Old Order Amish.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2019
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Social Scientist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Gerald Reid ; 1988
- Field Date
- 1949-1954
- Notes
- by Elmer Lewis Smith
- UM 00-16663
- Includes bibliographical references
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Syracuse University, 1983
- LCSH
- Amish