Society and Culture - Cross Cultural Comparison
Family
The Amish idea of family has been continuous since the 17th century. Amish communities place a high value on family, forming the key foundation of their society. Amish families are exclusively patriarchal. A typical Amish family comprises of a mother, a father and a few children. The extended family usually lives in close proximity and provides dependable support. Grand-parents are respected and are seen as knowledgeable, providing valuable advice.
Our society doesn’t place such high values on family life, unlike the Amish. Western families are often fragmented and blended. My family, for example, consists of my mother, father, step father, step mother and half-sister, living in three separate houses. This is very different compared to the traditional Amish family. My mother’s house, where I spend most of my time is matriarchal. My extended family is spread out over three countries and I don’t have many connections with them.
Marriage
During the late years of adolescence the Amish begin to start looking for a partner with the expectation to marry and procreate. There is generally no intermarriage, with Amish mostly marrying Amish. Divorce is not permitted and separation is very rare.
The traditional Amish wedding is very plain and without the extravagance associated with a modern society wedding. The Amish don’t take photographs or have rings, flowers and catering, for instance and it is usually quite a small event, with the ceremony held in the bride’s house. In our society there are reduced expectations to marry and during adolescence marriage is not yet even considered and is illegal for under 16s. For example my parents never married and place no expectation on me to marry.
We are able to marry whoever we wish, provided that they are not of the same gender.
Divorce is common and accepted within our community. Almost all my friend’s parents are divorced.
Western wedding ceremonies are quite extravagant, with the bride and
The Amish idea of family has been continuous since the 17th century. Amish communities place a high value on family, forming the key foundation of their society. Amish families are exclusively patriarchal. A typical Amish family comprises of a mother, a father and a few children. The extended family usually lives in close proximity and provides dependable support. Grand-parents are respected and are seen as knowledgeable, providing valuable advice.
Our society doesn’t place such high values on family life, unlike the Amish. Western families are often fragmented and blended. My family, for example, consists of my mother, father, step father, step mother and half-sister, living in three separate houses. This is very different compared to the traditional Amish family. My mother’s house, where I spend most of my time is matriarchal. My extended family is spread out over three countries and I don’t have many connections with them.
Marriage
During the late years of adolescence the Amish begin to start looking for a partner with the expectation to marry and procreate. There is generally no intermarriage, with Amish mostly marrying Amish. Divorce is not permitted and separation is very rare.
The traditional Amish wedding is very plain and without the extravagance associated with a modern society wedding. The Amish don’t take photographs or have rings, flowers and catering, for instance and it is usually quite a small event, with the ceremony held in the bride’s house. In our society there are reduced expectations to marry and during adolescence marriage is not yet even considered and is illegal for under 16s. For example my parents never married and place no expectation on me to marry.
We are able to marry whoever we wish, provided that they are not of the same gender.
Divorce is common and accepted within our community. Almost all my friend’s parents are divorced.
Western wedding ceremonies are quite extravagant, with the bride and