18

The Mennonite Quarterly Review

added some candy to the slips of paper on their desks. Vandals broke in
a second time, but only took some candy and never bothered the school
again.

Parents are very clear about what they do notwant teachers to
teach. They do not want dangerous or unnecessary materials such as
science or sex education presented to their children. The danger in
science is that it may include ideas such as the theory of evolution,
which the parents consider to be contrary to the Bible. Sexuality
should be discussed at home, between parents and children; it is not an
appropriate subject for school.

Parents expect Amish values to be incorporated in all school
activities. For example, although there is no physical education there
is always plenty of exercise at recess. Children play games with great
gusto, but place little emphasis on winning or singling out the
individual. I have been a teacher in an Amish school, and I was
amazed that when we played softball in the fall or spring there was
never an argument about who was out or safe at a base. Instead there
was quiet agreement on such matters and the game went on. The game
was enjoyed as a communal activity, with frequent rotation of positions.

Another core value reinforced in an Amish school is nonconformity to
the standards of the world. For example, uniformity of dress is much
easier to maintain under the watchful eye of the teacher and the
parents who serve on the school board. In a public school a boy may slip
off his suspenders in an attempt to be like his English peers. Or a child
may quietly agree to use the latest computer-aided instruction, or to
watch a film or video without the consent of his or her parents. Not so
in an Amish school.

other factors

Other factors may help explain why young Amish men or women
may decide to stay with their tradition or choose to leave it. Some of
these factors are much more difficult to substantiate with empirical
evidence than are those presented thus far in this paper. For example,
it may be easier to be Amish today than it was several decades ago.
There are various reasons for this, including more flexibility in choice
of occupation. Many Amish factory workers make no great financial
sacrifice in order to remain Amish; so it is "easier" for them to be
Amish. Also, in recent decades the world has elevated the status of
the Amish. Non-Amish have given their way of life much more
credibility and even envy what they perceive in the Amish as a
peaceful vestige of an earlier age. Consequently, there is less stigma