Through reality shows such as, Breaking Amish, Return to Amish, Amish Mafia and other Amish related shows, we have come to learn a lot about the Amish lifestyle. The Amish community whether willingly or unwillingly welcomed us into their world for us to get a better understand of the Amish way of life. They have captivated our attention as we are eager to see how those who are not “English” live their daily lives. I guess you can say we are a bit nosey and want to know how Amish people survive in a world full of technology and not to mention highly dependable on electricity.

The Amish community have a set rules that they must obey. We all know that those who are apart of the Amish community are not allowed any use of electricity and must use horse and buggy as their means of transportation. However, there are a lot of others rules that are not as well known. Whether you agree with these rules or not, that is up to you, but the Amish have no desire to change the way they have been living for many years and are here to stay. Whether you are a women or a man there are certain rules that you must follow. Here are 15 rules Amish women need to follow.

15. No Need For Higher Education

Although, it is not uncommon for Amish women to attend school, majority of Amish women do not receive as much education as men do. Many Amish women only attend school up until the eight grade. There belief in limited education stems from both religious and practical reasons. Since it is the women’s job to stay home and take care of the family, there is no need for women to be educated. The practical reason is because Amish trades are usually agricultural or craftsmanship orientated, which is why they offer more hands on apprenticeships. In the religion aspects Amish believe that higher educated can promote ideas that are counter Amish beliefs.

14. Expected To Get Married

When it comes to dating, all romantic relationships must end in marriage. When it comes to decided on a someone to marry arranged marriages are not typically done, however marrying someone outside of the faith is looked down upon. Women are expected to get married at a young age and must have children. Not every Amish women gets married, but if you do not find yourself a partner those a part of the Amish faith believe that there must be something wrong with you. Marriage is important to the Amish community because it ensures that the faith will continue.

13. Jobs Only Include Housework and Farm Duties

Even though it is not uncommon for Amish women to work outside of the house and farm, some Amish women even own their own businesses. However, Amish women are expected to do all the housework and take care of the family. If the husband needs help with the farm, Amish women are expected to help their husbands out with farm duties. Amish husbands tend to not want their wife to work because they want to be seen as the primary income for the family. If a Amish women brings in more money than the husband then it gives the family a bad image.

12. Must Take Care Of Children

Since Amish women are expected to get married and have children, it is their primary job to take care of their children. Amish children rarely have babysitters unless it is necessary and in most cases it is a family member or a member of the community. The mother is expected to put their children needs above their own and do whatever it takes to ensure their children are living by the Amish rules. It is also the mother’s job to ensure their children follow all rules and continue to life their life in the Amish faith. Whatever their children do in the community is a reflection on how the mother took care of that child.

11. Must Wear Traditional Clothing

There are many set rules when it comes to an Amish women’s appearance. Amish women must wear the tradition clothing. Amish women are only allowed to wear long cotton dresses that are made out of plain fabric and must have no zippers or buttons. It is common for Amish women to buy the same fabric in bulk to make identical dresses for themselves. The fabric must not have any pattern and are typically cool colours that blue or lavender. Amish women clothing provide a modest look and must not show off their body figure.

10. Cannot Contribute Financially

It is not uncommon for Amish women to make money, however the money that they do make is to only be theirs and theirs only. Amish women are allowed to contribute to the family financially if it is necessary, however they are told to keep their money. Not being able to contribute financially goes back to the notion that the husband must be the sole provider for the family when it comes to money. If an Amish women is provided for their family more than what the husband is able to contribute it shows a sign of weakness and that the husband is not doing his duty for the family’s well being.

9. Must Be Submissive To Husband

Amish women are barely given any freedom outside of the house. When seen in public with their husband they have to be totally submissive and follow whatever he says. Amish women are often seen walking behind their husbands and when in their buggy the husband is always the one driving. The husband is the head of the family and the wife must obey what he says. It is the women’s job to submit to their husband is all things within the marriage and in all aspects of the community. The notion of being submissive provides a unified authority, which means the man is the one making all the decisions.

8. Cannot Serve As Bishops, Preachers or Deacons

Since the Amish community is very patriarchal, Amish women cannot be bishops, preachers or deacons. The Amish community has standards that they must upheld and they believe that these jobs should be done by a man. It is believed that women cannot be leaders in the high rankings of someone who is in charge or promoting the Amish faith. Even though Amish women cannot take on leadership roles, Amish women are allowed to be teachers. It is common that Amish teachers are women, however most of these teachers themselves only have eight grade education, therefore what they teach is limited.

7. Be Selfless and Take Care Of Others

Amish women are not allowed to be selfish and must put the needs of others before their own. Putting their needs aside goes beyond their family, Amish women must make the church and community needs a priority. They are also responsible for helping neighbours when they are in need. This might included tending to their children, doing their laundry, cooking or other household duties. Not only are Amish women responsible for their own family, but the other families within the community. Amish women must not worry about their own needs and in most cases they are not allowed to worry about their own health, but instead worry about those who surround them first.

6. Must Wear Bonnets To Show Submission

In addition to having to wear a traditional dress and clothing, Amish women must also wear a bonnet. Wearing a bonnet is meant to be wear to show a sign of submission to men and God. Women in traditional Amish communities are required to wear a bonnet that covers their hair and is neatly tied. However, young women are not expected to wear these types of bonnets and are often wearing less covering that resembles a Mennonite women would wear, which can be considered less modest.

5. Not Allowed To Take Pictures

Amish women are not allowed to be photographed because they believe it is vain and does not portray modesty. Since Amish hold humility high and view pride as a threat to the community’s harmony they forbid taking pictures. Amish believe photographs can create individuality and call attention to one’s self. However, some women allow themselves to be photographed if their face is not being shown or if they are not posing. Photographs that are taken in their natural daily lives can be alright, however they avoid being photographed all together.

4. Dolls Must Have No Faces

In regards to the Amish valuing their faith children’s dolls cannot have any faces on them. Amish women are expected to make sure their children do not have any toys that have anything that resembles a face. Not having a face on their dolls show the children that everyone is the same in God’s eyes. He encourages children to believe in their teachings that God can only create people. The lack of facial expressions demonstrates the Bible’s commandments about graven images. Every doll must also resemble the Amish and must be clothed in traditional Amish clothing.

3. Must Seek Husband’s Approval

Not only must Amish women be submissive to their husband, but they must also seek out their approval. Whether is has to do with the household or making purchases, an Amish women must ask for their husband’s approval. Amish women must not make any decisions or purchases without her husband’s knowledge. If she does this can be seen as a sign of disrespect. The husband must be aware of what is going on in his wife’s life, which is why she must run everything by him before she makes any moves. If her husband does not give his approval the women must obey his wishes.

2. Wedding Dress Must Be Worn To Church

When Amish women get married they do not wear your idealist white wedding dress, instead they wear a self-made blue long figureless wedding dress. From the day after the wedding on, the women must wear that same dress to every church ceremony. Amish wedding dresses are not always blue, however blue wedding dresses are the ones you will typically see. The dress must also be a traditional amish dress and not have any zippers or buttons. You would most definitely never see an Amish women wearing a white ballgown on her big day!

1. Not Included In Community Decision Making

Some Amish communities do allowed women to contribute to community decision making, however it is common for Amish women to not be involved. All the decision making is left for the men in the community and the women must follow. At the head of the Amish community is the Bishop, who is the one who enforces the rules and make sure everyone is living the Amish way. The Bishop is always a man, which displays that men are always the ones in charge and women are not welcomed when it comes to being in charge of a community.