The Amish of Jamesport,Missouri

Abstract

The community described is typically Amish; it is distinctive in dress, religious beliefs, refusal to participate in majority-culture technology, repudiation of the public school system, and use of buggies rather than cars. By a completely self-contained system of enculturation, the Amish perpetuate their agricultural way of life in successive generations. But though they are in no sense a burden on the surrounding community, they are coming into increasing conflict tenth this community because of their refusal to participate, especially in the school system. There is a measure of syncretism, but resolution of the conflict does not seem close, and persecution continues.