Practicality and Identity as Functions of Education in Old Order Mennonite and Hutterite Communities
Keywords
Groffdale Mennonite Conference; Schmiedeleut Hutterite; Education; Socialization; One-room schools
Abstract
This study is an exploration of common structures, theories, and practices among the educational systems of selected Anabaptist communities, focusing on a Midwestern Schmeideleut Hutterite community and the Groffdale Conference (Old Order) Mennonites in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Building on ideas of utopian communities, this research suggests two key foci of education as practiced in Hutterite and Old Order Mennonite communities. The first is identity, both of the community—as manifested by a common purpose and identity—and of the individual—as manifested by a belief in free will. The second is practicality, both in the physical (pragmatic) and metaphysical (idealistic) realm. Anabaptist communities tend to perceive education as highly important to the continued meaningful existence of the community because education serves as a means of socializing children and youth into community norms, standards, and beliefs.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to fellow student Rachel Lee, Dr. Christopher Costello, and Professor John Lawlor for inspiration, encouragement, and critique; to faculty mentor Dr. Lucia Torchia-Thompson for believing that the ambitious is not impossible; and to all the anonymous participants who generously gave of their time and wisdom to make this research possible.
Recommended Citation
Zimmerman, Janelle. 2015. "Practicality and Identity as Functions of Education in Old Order Mennonite and Hutterite Communities." Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 3(1):71-93.
ISSN
2471-6383
Notes
The author approaches this study from the unique perspective of a former student in a one-room Mennonite school, and a current member of an Old Order Mennonite community. This research study is an extension of a project about Amish and Mennonite schools completed in a sociology honors contract under Professor Nancy Lambert.