Have you ever wondered how the Amish courtship works? Part 3

You have finally found a match, then what? Like the song say “Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.” Is that not what happens with single Amish people? Ideally, the courting process should be one in which the couple gets to know each other and how well their personalities will mesh. The two get to know each other as persons.

This is not done the way that us English court. Amish believe the purity is the ideal, complete purity of motive and behavior. It is thought that indulgence in any physical contact is objectionable by all of adults of the Amish community. Physical contact would encourage sensual desires, distract from the primarily rational and purposeful exploration of a person's capacity to be a productive and helpful member of a family economic team.

The purpose of courting is to find out whether the intended partner will be a good worker, parent, partner, and church member. Qualities such as character, patience, ability to cooperate, thrift and frugality, competence, and humility are assessed.

The man will seek permission from the father of the woman to seek a courtship. If the father does not agree & give his blessing, then everything is off. Well maybe. Sometimes, mothers, aunts, grandmothers and great grandmothers get involved in assisting the father to make the correct decision. After a short while many of the fathers see God’s bigger plan and change their minds.

#AllAboutAmish by #MissouriAmish

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