tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post8557837097012732340..comments2023-10-28T02:59:37.028-07:00Comments on E m e r g i n g ...Q u a k e r i s m ..L i t e r a t u r e ..R e l i g i o n ... L i f e: Plain Secrets 3Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-79842639410544742942008-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:002008-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00The custom of "bundling" (spending the night toget...The custom of "bundling" (spending the night together, fully clothed)used to be done in America in other groups besides just the Amish. I know that some Amish groups now consider it inappropriate.<BR/><BR/>And on an entirely different topic:<BR/>I have just completed my first meme, Diane, and you are IT.<BR/><BR/>See <A HREF="http://mysticspoetsandfools.blogspot.com/2008/08/seven-facts-meme.html" REL="nofollow">Here</A> for more instructions!Shawna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031043060163590745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-41989974541559469912008-08-01T20:10:00.000-07:002008-08-01T20:10:00.000-07:00Hi everyone,Joe Mackall did have permission from S...Hi everyone,<BR/><BR/>Joe Mackall did have permission from Samuel and Mary to write about them in a book. They knew what was he was doing and cooperated. It's clear that Mackall didn't make friends with them to write a book, and he says he sidestepped suggestions from others that he write the book for a long time. However, from his speculations in the text about how some of his thoughts will be received by Samuel and Mary, it's clear he didn't go over with them what he was writing. <BR/><BR/>Bill, <BR/><BR/>The Amish youth are not chaperoned during their overnight courtship but the impression I got from the book is that since they are not in an environment that endlessly pushes extra-marital sex, they don't, as a rule, engage in intercourse. They are fully clothed and expected to talk. It's rude to fall asleep. I don't know about birth certificates. I can't remember clearly, but I know Jonas's situation was confused because of something about his parents or one parent being Canadian. I don't know how often Amish women get pregnant outside of marriage but the impression I got about the Schwartzentrubers is that it's not too common. They do tend to marry young. But I'm sure pregnancy outside of marriage must happen.<BR/><BR/>Cath,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comments.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-6918535276400265082008-08-01T13:49:00.000-07:002008-08-01T13:49:00.000-07:00The dating practice is surprising. Are they chaper...The dating practice is surprising. Are they chaperoned all night? Is the sense of community so strong that the young people just don't violate community standards? How often do Amish women become pregnant outside of marriage? Does the no documentation include no birth certificate and no marriage license?Bill Samuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752443575410023776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-63905852088335988752008-08-01T12:46:00.000-07:002008-08-01T12:46:00.000-07:00Most of the Amish I know live in places where the ...Most of the Amish I know live in places where the roads have ample shoulders to help avoid car-buggy tragedies. That doesn't mean they don't happen, but it helps. Most Amish I know encourage motorists to pass the buggy rather than follow behind slowly. But passing needs to be done in a way that doesn't endanger another buggy coming in a different direction.<BR/><BR/>re: scholarship and friendships.<BR/><BR/>I have developed some great friendships among the Amish after I showed up to "study" them. In fact, I would not have taken up this research interest if I hadn't formed a friendship with an Amish woman first.<BR/><BR/>re: ethics<BR/><BR/>I struggle sometimes to present what I want to say to others (e.g., at a workshop) in ways that meet the standards of approval by the Amish narrators I have spoken with. I discuss with them what I intend to say and see how they feel about it. And also, at the end of every interview I review my notes and ask if there is anything in them that is to be considered private.<BR/><BR/>For the most part, there have been very few subjects that I have been asked to avoid mentioning. I believe people are more open to the idea of presenting their lives to others if you treat them as co-researchers in the quest for an overall greater understanding.<BR/><BR/>Also, many of the Amish I know really aren't overly concerned with what the English think of them. They do what they do for their own purposes and make no judgments of others outside their faith (almost a direct quote from an Amish man that I have permission to share).<BR/><BR/>My Meeting is near a university which sometimes sends a class over to observe Quakers at worship. :) I feel ok about this, and enjoy being in a reverse position. It helps to give perspective.<BR/><BR/>It's hard to know if any given author makes friends in order to do the research--but I do feel that in any ethnographic situation, if you are not treating people fairly, you won't be invited back or you will be given only the most basic info. Most researchers know this. <BR/><BR/>And there are codes of ethics among antrhopologists, sociologists, etc. Of course, this doesn't mean that someone isn't going to want to run out and write a book about his Amish neighbor, but the more serious scholar will take ethics into consideration.<BR/><BR/>In the last few years, I have also come to see how these ethical issues apply to the refugees I work with, as well. No grant proposal is worth doing anything that will destroy the good relationships we have or the ways in which we have come to work together for the betterment of the community.<BR/><BR/>But then, I'm a grassroots sort of person, anyway..... :)<BR/><BR/>cathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-56193187342847085772008-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:002008-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00Oh, this was interesting, Diane. The courting ritu...Oh, this was interesting, Diane. The courting ritual I had never heard of so they must not do it in the Lancaster County Amish that I am so familiar with.<BR/>The Amish in Lancaster have so much to deal with as far as cars go... every now and then you will hear about some buggy tragedy and it breaks your heart. I also place some blame on the part of drivers. They know they are in a buggy travel area and yet they still go too fast. Some of the roads in Lancaster are very curvey and unless you are going slow, you don't know what's around the corner. Most likely a buggy or kids walking- it's up to the drivers, I think, to take extra care when they are in a known Amish area.<BR/>Did the author discuss the subject of this book with his friend? Or did he just use the friendship to create this book? That would be unethical in my mind...<BR/>What a very interesting book and I am really enjoying your reflections on it, Diane.<BR/>:)Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14287107184977896696noreply@blogger.com