The Amish
Despite their presence in a country dominated by popular culture, the Amish have been able to survive, and thrive, as a group cut-off from mainstream society. The Amish flourish as a tradition-based folk culture in the midst of a progressive dominant culture whose values are very different. The Amish culture has fared well under the spirit of religious freedom and political accommodation given to them in North America. hey lead a simple lifestyle based on self-sufficiency and a rich sense of interdependent community that has changed very little in the past three-hundred years. The Amish preserve their culture and identity by excluding the outside world in as many aspects of their lives as possible. Their policy of separation is based on scriptural admonitions to be a separate people and not conform to the world’s system. They limit their contact with the outside world as much as possible. They speak in an unwritten Pennsylvania German dialect. They do not regard modern technology as evil, but they fear that widespread acceptance of certain technologies will have a negative impact on their strong, tightly knit communities. Members of the community debate the long-term effects of new technologies or practice, and decide whether it will be adopted or not. The Amish have achieved and maintained self-sufficiency in religion, education, and socialization. They, like all Americans, have the right to practice their religion. The 1972 Supreme Court decision Wisconsin v. Yoder exempted Amish children from attending public schools and gave the Amish the right to establish their own school system. Additionally, as a result of their history of persecution, the Amish mistrust government and prefer to care for their members without its involvement. The Amish have successfully negotiated resourceful compromises that allow them to retain their cultural identity without being assimilated into popular culture.
The Amish have sustained a high fertility rate ( approximately seven children per family), thus allowing for the population to steadily grow. This population growth, combined with the high cost of farmland and large startup investment requirements, has forced the Amish out of agriculture and into increasing interaction with the world for economic survival. This closer interaction has created more job opportunities, and thus more income. These increased economic opportunities have caused a slight shift away from the agrarian lifestyle, thus chipping away at the Amish traditions of working and eating together.
As a result, Amish families have started small family-owned businesses. These allow for the Amish to survive culturally and economically. This allows for their Folk Culture to continue to exist while still preserving many principals they highly value.
Through compromise, the Amish have been able to adapt to change, survive, and thrive, without losing their distinct cultural identity.