Amish children learn obedience from a young age
Amish culture stresses obedience and submission. These characteristics are instilled in Amish children by their parents from a young age.
In order to achieve this, Amish adhere to the “spare the rod, and spoil the child” admonition of Solomon. Spanking and corporal punishment are used to maintain order in schools and teach good behavior in the home.
When do Amish begin disciplining their children?
Amish feel that children should be disciplined as soon as they exhibit a strong will. In The Riddle of Amish Culture, sociologist Donald Kraybill cites an Amish leader who explains that “By the time the child reaches the age of three the mold has started to form and it is the parent’s duty to form it in the way that it should go. When the child is old enough to stiffen its back and throw back its head in temper it is old enough to start gently breaking that temper” (Riddle, Kraybill p. 33-34).
Amish recognize the importance of proper discipline to their children’s future development. Yet it is generally recognized that spanking should not be done in anger, but out of love with the goal of teaching the child.
Discipline in Amish schools
In some cases, teachers in Amish schools will be expected to make use of corporal punishment to discipline children as well. Karen Johnson-Weiner notes that use of spanking varies among Amish schools. Johnson-Weiner finds evidence that corporal punishment is applied in conservative Swartzentruber Amish schools, though this does not necessarily mean that teachers enjoy it.
Amish teachers are expected to discipline children in school
Johnson-Weiner cites one Swartzentruber teacher: “If you don’t spank the children that need it, you could lose your job. The school board wants discipline.” (Train Up a Child, Johnson-Weiner, pp 46-47). Even teachers in progressive Amish schools use physical discipline on occasion. A teacher in a progressive Amish school admitted that “We do resort to the paddle if need be and depending on the offense. Not the most exciting job, but it brings amazing results. In my six years I’ve spanked only once…and I hope I won’t have to again” (Johnson-Weiner, p148).
A paddle may be used to administer discipline in Amish schools. Other forms of discipline may be less harsh. Teachers may talk with students to explain the reasons and need for punishment ( Johnson-Weiner, p 119). Students may be required to sit inside during recess, or to write lines of handwriting (Johnson-Weiner, p 91). Amish teachers may enlist the help of parents to maintain order with children.
The Amish approach to school discipline, including physical punishment now extinct in modern public schools, reflects the role of the Amish community in raising children to exhibit Christian values. Amish stress disciplining in a spirit of love rather than anger. Though Amish parents and teachers typically consider it unpleasant and difficult to discipline children, they know that neglecting to do so would mean neglecting the child’s well-being.
Behavior of Amish children
Amish children are typically well-behaved
Amish children are generally well-behaved. Though there are always exceptions, generally they know to speak when spoken too, and typically remain quiet in the presence of outsiders. Amish children quickly learn that disobedience is dealt with, and Amish use of corporal punishment helps to shape the character and behavior of their children. Children being children, Amish parents may need to resort to punishment more than once to instill the proper message.
In some instances, Rumspringa-age Amish youth may exhibit wild behavior when out from under the direct influence of their parents. But generally, the lessons of obedience and submission learned in youth stick with Amish as youth and adults. These values help them to be better church members and, the Amish believe, better Christians by following Christ’s dictates to obedience and submission.
For further information, see:
The Riddle of Amish Culture, Donald B. Kraybill
Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools, Karen Johnson-Weiner
Amish Society, John A. Hostetler
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9 responses to How do Amish discipline children?
Maybe this is where we need to send our juvenile delinquents. Nothing were do seems to help.
If they spent six months at an Amish school for delinquents, that may do the trick.
I have met Amish children. They are polite, say yes sir, no sir. They wear their pants up, go to school, do not run the streets at night. They especially do not have that “you owe me attitude”.
I hear when an Amish Father gets his strap you are in for it. I hear they don’t whoop chothes, they whoop butts. When they are finished the boy has a well tanned behind. They usually never do their misdeed again.
Our “no spank” attitude has spawned a generation with no morale compass, run the street all night, rob, steel, burglarize, and totally run wild.
How do Amish discipline children?
Physical Discipline is not necessary
I am old enough to have experienced the physical discipline of 50s parents and also to have known several contemporaries bring up their children by teaching, close contact and lots of communication. They would not dream of hitting anyone, including their children and feel it to be an uncivilised way to behave. This takes a lot of attention of the right sort and making sure the children are occupied. My neighbours moved in when their child was a toddler and all her screaming tantrums were dealt with calmly – this is often frustration at not having enough vocabulary – her parents quietly insisted and explained when she could understand. I noticed this lasting through her childhood and the encouragement of her decisions. She is mature, there was no teen rebellion, neither was she ever a naughty child, just a lively, ordinary, self assured child who respects but is not afraid of her parents. Beating, slapping, and all the other physical methods are repressive.
I know many such young adults like this, having been held accountable for their actions which is what we as adults should ideally do. Neither do they run wild or rebel as teens because they are nurtured gently into adulthood. One of my nieces is just such a parent. Her children are responsible and think about their actions. I am afraid of people, being small, and sometimes other adults have slapped me, reacting to me as they would a child, because this is the only reason to hit a child – they are smaller and you get a quick fix of “good” behaviour through fear and the anger is repressed. My brother was beaten most days of his life, in school and at home. He just went wild once he had committed a “spanking offence” – might as well go the whole hog, so to speak. As an adult, he has had some very severe emotional difficulties but never laid a finger on his children. I was a minder and sitter for some years. I always found a way to deal with children much more effective than hitting, surprising how much just talking about behaviour, all our behaviour whatever age brings great results. Children need boundaries, guidance, attention and good examples but they dont need hitting – by the way, paddling or hitting on the buttocks can result in spinal damage – it sends shock waves through the spinal cord, a trivial bit of human anatomy?
How do Amish discipline children?
There’s a reason corporal punishment is illegal, because it encourages fear and weakness. If i were an amish kid, i’d run away and never look back. And whoever said they should send JD to amish schools, you are a disturbed person because corporal punishment is still corporal punishment on someone who has been lent a bad hand in life.
I’m not sure if a “no spank” culture really is the root of the problem more so than just plain inattentiveness to the children period in our culture. With both parents or the single parent working much of the time kids are left to their devices more often. It doesn’t matter the background…I know it’s ancedotal but the kids whose parents were more involved in their lives tend to behave better than ones whose parents weren’t. Conversely, parents who refuse to think of their kids as anything other than their little darling who does no wrong aren’t doing their child any favors either.
There is a much greater focus on children and family in Amish culture…and I think more of a community effort in raising kids as well. I don’t think you see that kind of support system as much in our culture anymore.
How do Amish discipline children?
I have to agree with Lindsay. Many problems can be attributed to inattentiveness to ones children. We have learned how important it is for the mother to be at home to raise their children.
My daughter is a child Psychologist and has worked with kids for years. She is always telling them “hitting is not an option”. One mother believed in spanking as a necessary part of discipline until one day she observed her three- year-old daughter hitting her one-year-old son. When confronted, her daughter said, “I’m just playing mommy.”
Physical punishment shows that it’s all right to vent your anger or right a wrong by hitting other people. This is why we find an increase in the number of bullies. Time outs or sitting inside during recess is a much better approach.
How do Amish discipline children?
Bob, the one that always worked on me when I was little was no dessert LOL! I think my mom discovered I could entertain myself in time out but heaven forbid dessert! Children are individuals, so I suppose you just have to find out what discipline methods work with them. What worked with me didn’t necessarily work with my sisters and vice versa. I really have to hand it to the involved parents…they certainly have to be creative and stay one step ahead of the game.
How do Amish discipline children?
Lindsay..I would say that you will be, are, or were a good parent. And yes, I forgot about the times my mom used the dessert method. She always had a great dessert for supper. I’ll have to ask my Amish friends if they have used that method.
Kids are definately different today which you would expect with their changing environment, so as you said, you have to keep trying things until you find one that works.
How do Amish discipline children?
agree with amish/disagree with
I agree with the amish in the displine,, of their children,, the objections that i read here,, of a child saying”I’m just playing mommy” this family has shown anger to the child while displine being asmistered,, (no remorse for having to do this to the child),,A child comes into this world out of love for whatever reason, but love,,and should be treated with love, this doesn’t mean NO DISPLINE, and that it shouldn’t include physical,some love is harder to administer than others but all should be done out of love for our children,, not out of anger,frustration,or other things, than love for our children to be the best,caring and loving adult,,as well as responisble people who can say i did wrong and accept whatever happens to them and then go on to correct their behavor, and be a better person,,tooo many johnny don’t do that or u will not get desert,, so before long he decieds, ok so i don’t get desert,, who cares,, and that continues into bigger things,,back to the disipline,, spare the rod, who cares if it doesn’t really hurt me,, untill they end up dead!!!, crippled!! or in jail!! and still jail is just another way for them to only be without desert, so I am still in teaching a child disipline with the rod and love.
How do Amish discipline children?
I agree with everyone in differant ways
I agree with everyone in different ways on this one. I was raised in the 90′s and early 2000′s and spanking was a natural part of our lives. We got talked to and then spanked. I personally do not believe in this for most children. I don’t use it for my son but I do swat my nephew when he needs it. He is 2 years old and when he gets violent. He does get violent. Hitting,scratching and biting. One open hand swat on the bottom gets the point across without hurting him more then is necessary. My son never had that problem and the “cool down room” works great for him. I talk to him when he is ready. I believe it depends on the child. NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE PADDLED, STRAPPED OR SPANKED BARE. One open hand swat on the seat of their pants is enough to snap them out of the mis behavior and it gets the point across.
How do Amish discipline children?
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