What are the 3 types of Amish?

While there are many Amish subgroups, they generally fall under broader categories like Old Order (most traditional, horse & buggy), New Order (more progressive, some tech like phones), and Beachy Amish (more open to modern life, automobiles, electricity). These groups differ in technology use, dress, and interpretations of Ordnung (rules), with Old Order being the most restrictive and Beachy the most integrated into modern society.

What are the four types of Amish people?

There are many different subgroups of Amish with most belonging, in ascending order of conservatism, to the Beachy Amish, New Order, Old Order, or Swartzentruber Amish groups.

What are the strict Amish called?

The Swartzentruber Amish are one of the largest and most conservative subgroups of Old Order Amish. The Swartzentruber Amish are considered a subgroup of the Old Order Amish, although they do not fellowship or intermarry with more liberal Old Order Amish.

How many wifes can Amish have?

Amish men can only have one wife at a time, as polygamy (having multiple wives) is not practiced, and divorce is generally not allowed, making marriages monogamous lifelong commitments, though widowers can remarry within their community, often to an older single woman or a widow for companionship or family formation. 

What is the difference between Old Order Amish and Swartzentruber?

Swartzentruber Amish - The Swartzentruber Amish are a subset of the Old Order Amish known for being even stricter than most Old Order Amish people, and for having lower standards of living. They are quicker to excommunicate and even more isolated from any non-Amish people.

The Amish Explained

At what age do Amish girls marry?

Amish girls typically get married in their early 20s, often between ages 20 and 22, usually shortly after being baptized into the church during their late teens or early twenties, with dating starting around 16 and partners found at social events like Sunday singings. 

What's the most popular Amish last name?

The most common Amish last names are frequently Miller, Yoder, Stoltzfus, King, and Bontrager, often reflecting German/Swiss origins, with Miller being nearly universal, while Stoltzfus dominates Pennsylvania and names like Keim, Hershberger, and Hostetler are prevalent in Midwest areas like Ohio, showing regional concentrations within the broader Amish population.
 

Do Amish ladies wear bras?

Yes, most Amish women wear bras, but they are typically plain, functional cotton styles (not lacy or fancy), and in some very conservative communities, a hand-sewn alternative garment might be used instead of a store-bought bra for modesty and nursing needs. The specific undergarments vary by community, but the general principle is simplicity and practicality, not adornment. 

Do Amish men use condoms?

Therefore, the use of condoms by Amish men is strictly forbidden and condemned in most, if not all, Amish communities.

What must an Amish bride do on her wedding night?

On their wedding night, an Amish woman spends her first night as a wife in her parents' home, often with playful pranks from friends, before helping with cleanup the next day, as the "honeymoon" involves visiting relatives to receive gifts, not a separate trip. The evening involves celebration, but the focus is on community and preparation for starting their new life, often living with parents initially. 

Why do Amish remove their teeth?

Amish people sometimes have teeth removed, often by unlicensed local "dentists," to avoid the high costs of modern dental care, view dentures as a simpler, cheaper solution, or as a cultural practice (like a rite of passage or pre-marriage), but this is often due to poverty, isolation from mainstream healthcare, and traditional practices, leading to poor oral health and reliance on extractions rather than fillings or crowns. 

What is the average income of an Amish family?

Amish family income varies significantly by community, with older estimates suggesting averages around $40,000-$60,000, while modern estimates place it higher, with some non-farming households reaching $87,000+; however, many families are self-sufficient, prosperous, and report incomes below the poverty line but are not impoverished, relying on strong community support, skilled trades (carpentry, construction, furniture), organic farming, and diverse local businesses, with some families achieving significant wealth. 

Do Amish drink alcohol?

The Old Order Amish, the largest and most traditional sect, generally allow alcohol in moderation. Since alcohol is frequently in the Bible, they don't view it as something that they must avoid entirely. Some Old Order Amish even make their own beer, cider, or wine at home.

Can Amish kiss before marriage?

Yes, Amish couples can kiss before marriage, but it's often very limited and happens privately, usually during "bundling" or late-night courting sessions where they might share a kiss after some rocking or conversation, but public affection is frowned upon, and strict rules (like a board in bed) are sometimes used to maintain modesty and prevent premarital sex, though premarital sex does occur despite being a sin. 

How do Amish make money?

Amish people earn money through a mix of traditional farming, skilled trades like woodworking and construction, and small businesses, often leveraging high-quality craftsmanship for goods sold locally and online. While farming (dairy, produce) remains important, many have shifted to trades, running shops, and services like quilting, selling goods through roadside stands, stores, and online, valuing integrity and hard work. 

Do Amish people use zippers?

No, traditional Old Order Amish generally avoid zippers, viewing them as too modern, flashy, or mechanical, preferring simple fasteners like buttons, snaps, hook-and-eye closures, or straight pins for their plain attire, reflecting values of humility, submission to God's will (Gelassenheit), and separation from the outside world. While some less conservative groups might use them in work settings, they are generally frowned upon in mainstream Amish clothing for both men and women.
 

Do Amish females shave?

No, Amish women typically do not shave; it's generally forbidden by their community rules (Ordnung) as it's seen as vanity and too worldly, though some former Amish women have mentioned secret attempts to shave out of curiosity for "English" (non-Amish) lifestyles, finding it difficult and impractical. Their focus is on modesty, with long hair covered by prayer coverings (kapps), and body hair is usually left natural, contrasting with the Amish men who shave their faces but grow beards after marriage.
 

What do Amish use instead of toilet paper?

Amish people traditionally use simple, reusable items like old rags or cloth, alongside readily available natural materials such as leaves, corn cobs, or even newspaper pages, often seeing manufactured toilet paper as an unnecessary luxury, though some progressive groups do use it. Their choices reflect resourcefulness, simplicity, and waste reduction, with reusable cloths being washed and reused for hygiene.
 

Do Amish girls get pregnant during Rumspringa?

Rumspringa is a period that begins at age sixteen and ends with the promise of baptism, during this period young Amish are exposed to the outside world. Another problem the Amish community faces during the Rumspringa period is unexpected pregnancy.

Why do Amish girls go barefoot?

Amish women often go barefoot, especially in warmer months, for a mix of practicality, comfort, and spiritual reasons, symbolizing humility, freedom, and a deep connection to the earth, aligning with their simple lifestyle and respect for God's creation, though it's more common at home or on the farm than in public settings.
 

What language do the Amish speak?

The Amish primarily speak Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsylvania German) at home and in their communities, English for interacting with the outside world and in schools, and High German for religious services, using a German Bible. Pennsylvania Dutch is their native, first language, a German dialect that evolved from 18th-century immigrants but incorporates English words and grammar, while English is learned for broader societal communication.
 

Are Amish boys circumcised?

Yes, many Amish communities practice infant male circumcision, often arranged through midwives, viewing it as a way to keep the body pure, though prevalence varies by specific group, with some Amish (and Mennonite) communities strongly encouraging or requiring it for newborns, contrasting with general modern medical views. 

What nationality are most Amish?

Most Amish people are of German or Swiss-German ancestry, but the term "Amish" does not refer to an ethnic group with such ancestry, but is usually used to refer to members of the community who practice the Amish faith.

What is the most common female Amish name?

Sarah. Among Amish women, the name Sarah is perhaps the most common.