Debunking Three Amish Myths That Leave Us Baffled
Perhaps you have encountered information about the Amish that left you curious, thinking “where did that originate from?”
Myths often stem from a small element of truth and a great deal of creativity. We seek answers to things that perplex us, but when they remain elusive, we tend to use our imagination to fill in the gaps.
Listed below are three commonly spread misconceptions about the Amish that I have encountered online, along with my speculation on their origins.
1. An agonizing inheritance
According to a popular belief, Amish women intentionally remove their teeth as a way to save money for their future husbands. This practice is seen as a part of their dowry.
It is possible that this was already in existence before the release of “Breaking Amish”, but it can be credited to the show for its popularity. As a reminder, one of the characters in the show, Rebecca, was shown wearing a complete set of dentures.
Without a doubt, it must have been surprising for viewers to witness a young individual without any teeth. The reason behind this was that Rebecca had undergone a process where her decayed teeth were extracted individually by an “Amish dentist”.
The approach to dental care among the Amish community can vary. We have previously discussed it on multiple occasions, including the use of black walnut extract and unusual occupations. In comparison to non-Amish society, tooth extraction is more prevalent among the Amish, particularly in traditional groups. This is often a more cost-effective solution, as dentures can be made after the teeth are removed. Some Amish individuals even offer this service, as reported in a newspaper and a local news article. For more information on Amish dentists, please visit our article on the topic.
2. Siblings & spouses, partners & siblings
The myth suggests that the Amish religion restricts marriage to only siblings.
In regards to the Amish, very few individuals from outside communities are able to join their closed communities. As a result, specific genetic disorders are known to emerge and become prevalent within Amish societies.
In the distant past, a genetic link can be traced somewhere in the family lineage (this applies not only to the Amish…). Therefore, it is understandable to assume that the Amish are limited to marrying their siblings.
There are two matters at hand: marriage between siblings and the misconception that Amish marriages are controlled by a higher power (a connected misconception).
In the Amish community, parents, like those in English culture, have varying levels of approval for their children’s dating partners. They may gently guide or actively promote a specific partner for their child. However, the practice of forced or arranged marriages is not seen in Amish culture.
3. Customized Caskets Not Available
According to a popular myth, during a visit to an Amish farm, it was mentioned that the Amish have only two sizes of coffins and if the deceased does not fit, they will modify the body to fit. This myth was shared during a tour of an Amish tourist destination, which included a discussion about funeral traditions.
This particular situation caught me off guard. I have never been informed about something like this before. Furthermore, I am not aware of the specific “tourist trap” that the individual who shared this is mentioning. In fact, I am interested in going on this tour myself as it seems quite entertaining 🙂.
I am currently unable to come up with an idea. I had the opportunity to meet an Amish casket maker, but I neglected to inquire about their sizing regulations. I have attended gatherings where deceased Amish individuals were present (viewing, funeral). The men in the open caskets appeared to be well preserved. Was it simply a fortunate fit?
There is no evidence to support this myth. However, if you are aware of any evidence, kindly share it with us in the comments section.
The Amish have been surrounded by numerous misconceptions and myths, and this is not the complete list. Please feel free to contribute any additional ones you may have encountered.