Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-03, Section: A, page: 0864.

Adviser: John Szwed.

This dissertation studies the Clear Brook Amish settlement in Indiana, U.S.A. It is a selective ethnography and aims to explain why the Amish people, who insist on separating themselves from the outside world, have actually adjusted well to modern times. The persistence and vitality of Amish society are attributed to favorable external circumstances and to its effective internal mechanisms.

Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were major tools in the field research. In order to demonstrate a great variation of attitudes and experiences among the Amish, a number of individuals are profiled.

Mainstream American society holds a highly positive image of the Amish people, and this image strengthens Amish existence. The "symbiotic" relationship between the Amish and Mennonites further enhances the well-being of the Amish community in Clear Brook.

The dissertation shows how Amish church leaders are able to keep a balance between their faith in the Amish heritage and the necessity to approve certain changes as well as to reduce the rigidity of church discipline. It examines farming and factory employment in Clear Brook, and indicates that, despite some negative effects, the rise of factory employment contributes to the stability of the community. The dissertation explores the tarnished image of Amish youth, describes three youth groups and explains why the majority of Amish youth continue to join the church. Finally, it studies the status, living conditions and important community functions of single Amish women.