The Amish value obedience and submission as essential aspects of their society. These traits are imparted in Amish children at a young age by their parents, who are strict followers of the Amish faith.
The admonishment of Solomon to "spare the rod, and spoil the child" is one that the Amish faithfully follow to accomplish this goal.
Amish parents resort to the use of spanking with a paddle and other forms of corporal punishment to keep order in schools and teach appropriate behavior at home. According to the Amish faith, parents are not supposed to punish their children when they are upset and angry.
The idea of not punishing children when angry is the most appropriate course of action to take, and it is an important lesson for all Amish parents to learn.
Amish parents, therefore, do not traditionally discipline their children when upset and would rather wait till their child's wrath has subsided before attempting to guide their behavior.
Children's Discipline
Discipline and patience are something that kids pick up at a young age. Parents also instill in their offspring the understanding that they must forsake their own free will to become God's children.
The considerable number of children in Amish families encourages young children to be patient as they learn to defer to their older siblings and wait for their time. Children who grow up in large households can better submit to authority as adults.
The Amish believe that giving children the freedom to do as they choose is the quickest way to corrupt their moral character. The phrase "work together so that negative habits such as disobedience, disrespect, and the like can be nipped in the bud" encourages collaboration between parents and educators.
When dealing with misbehavior in young children, it is possible that paddling will be helpful. Children are instructed to cede to authority, to wait their turn, and to submit.
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Amish Beliefs of Modern Parenting
The Amish believe that modern children are pampered because their parents shuttle them from one activity or class to another, expecting they will eventually discover and communicate their authentic selves.
On the other hand, Amish children are responsible for hand-washing dishes, feeding cows, transporting manure, removing weeds, and mowing lawns. Through these activities, they can let go of their egos and submit themselves to the bigger goals of their families and communities.
JOY is a popular school slogan and acronym used to teach Amish students that Jesus comes first, that they come last, and that others come in between Jesus and themselves.
Obedience is ingrained into daily routines by instructions received in childhood, making it a habit that is just assumed to be there.
Obedience
The children are instructed to obey their parents in the Lord because the Bible says this is the correct thing to do. The habits of obedience are discussed in an Amish handbook on child development.
The Amish believe parents should be prepared to discipline defiance and insist on respect and disobedience. They should also not allow any opposing replies. Parents should be aware that disobedience will likely come again once orders are disobeyed and no proper punishment is given.
It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children understand that they must obey their parents. Children's retorts and challenges, which in the culture of the middle class are sometimes seen as entertaining forms of self-expression, are not tolerated by the adults in Amish communities.
In schools, the teacher's word is the final authority and is to be obeyed; therefore, all students are expected to show respect for the instructor at Amish school. Submitting one's will at a young age is an important stage in preparing for a life of submission to power.
While there are strict and unwavering requirements for obedience, there is a pervasive atmosphere of loving concern. A youngster receives a spanking from their father because he loves them.
A congregation member is excommunicated and shunned by the bishop in the hopes of getting him back into the community.
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At what Age do the Amish Start to Discipline their Children?
The Amish believe their offspring should be reprimanded as soon as they demonstrate a strong will, regardless of age.
When the child reaches the age of three, the pattern has already begun to take shape, and the parent's job is to continue shaping it as it should.
When children are old enough to stiffen their backs and toss their heads back in a fit of rage, they are old enough for a gradual process of breaking that pattern of behavior or temper. The Amish parents understand that adequate discipline is essential to their children's growth and development in the years to come.
On the other hand, it is common knowledge that spanking a child should not be done out of rage but rather out of love with the intention of instructing the youngster.
How are Children Disciplined in Amish Schools?
In Amish schools, it is expected that teachers working in Amish schools will use physical punishment as a form of disciplinary action for students.
The use of corporal punishment varies widely throughout Amish schools. The conservative Swartzentruber Amish schools implement physical punishment; nevertheless, this does not necessarily imply that teachers take pleasure in this practice.
The Swartzentruber teachers are required to spank the children who need it; if they do not, they could risk losing their jobs. Even in more modern Amish institutions, teachers occasionally resort to using physical punishment on their students.
Educators do not necessarily resort to the paddle if there is no need, depending on the infraction.
Amish Spanking Correction.
In some Amish institutions, students may receive a spanking with a paddle as a form of discipline. There are numerous methods of correction, some of which are gentler than others. The children may discuss with their teachers the reasons and requirements for the paddling.
Students may be compelled to write lines of handwriting at recess or be required to sit indoors as a form of punishment. To keep order among the students, Amish teachers can solicit the assistance of the parents.
The Amish community also plays a role in bringing up children to demonstrate Christian ideals reflected in how they conduct school discipline. These discipline methods include physical punishment, which has been phased out of modern public schools.
The Amish strongly emphasize lovingly correcting children rather than harshly correcting them. Even while Amish parents and instructors often find it unpleasant and challenging to punish children, they are aware that failing to do so would entail failing to pay attention to the child's overall well-being.
How do Amish Children Behave?
Children raised in Amish communities are typically model citizens. Even though there are always exceptions, in most cases, they are aware of when they should talk and know to be quiet when they are in the company of others who are not part of their group.
Children raised in Amish communities understand from a very young age that disobedience will invariably result in some sort of consequence.
As a result, the Amish tradition of employing physical punishment helps shape the personalities and behaviors of the youngsters in the community. Because of children's temperament, Amish parents may discover they must resort to corporal punishment more than once to deliver their intended message.
When they are not under the direct influence of their parents, Amish children and adolescents of Rumspringa age might sometimes display conduct that is considered wild.
However, Amish teachings of obedience and submission that Amish children are taught remain in them throughout their lives, both as children and as adults.
The Amish believe that adhering to these ideals makes them better church members and Christians and allows them to follow Christ's directives regarding obedience and submission better.
In the same way, Amish kids cannot decline to eat the nutritious food provided to them because they simply eat everything, including grains, fruits, and vegetables. The parents appear to take it for granted that their kids will voluntarily eat what is in front of them.
In contrast to what is frequently the case with children in many other parts of the world, there is no conversation about eating.
What does Amish Parenting Entail?
The Amish believe it is their responsibility to educate their children about God and their faith. From the time they are infants, Amish children accompany their families to religious services at their local church.
Amish parents' responsibility is to teach their children the value of treating others with dignity and courtesy.
Parents in the Amish community instill a sense of responsibility in their offspring. Children in Amish families begin helping around the house as soon as they can follow simple instructions and comprehend what they are being asked to accomplish.
Parents in the Amish community instill obedience in their offspring. Amish youngsters are taught the values of respect and obedience to their elders at a young age.
In a public setting, an Amish child will often be quiet and behave appropriately as compared to those of the English.
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