The Lives of the Michigan Amish at the Turn of the 21st century

This research reports what Amish subjects related about their families, communities, educational institutions, belief systems, economy, and relationships. An attempt was made to identify challenges faced by Michigan Amish, including tensions in the home, community, school, church and outside community. Supportive information was gathered through observations made in Amish businesses, homes and schools, and in public places outside their community. Through observation, the researcher attempted to visually verify events and processes that respondents reported as typical to their everyday lives. Finally, to gain insight into how non-Amish viewed their Amish neighbors, friends and business associates, informal interviews and observations were conducted among the “English”. Information was also obtained via the Internet, as well as from the scholarly literature on Amish culture. Based on the research findings, the following chapters identify - from the point of view of the researcher - the aspects of Amish life, which have allowed this unique culture to survive in present-day Michigan.Master'sCollege of Arts and Sciences: Liberal StudiesUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/118031/1/Fanchier.pd