Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study shows how Old Order Amish and ultra-Orthodox women’s discourse about television can help develop a better understanding of the creation, construction, and strengthening of limits and boundaries separating enclave cultures from the world. Based on questionnaires containing both closed- and open-ended questions completed by 82 participants, approximately half from each community, I argue that both communities can be understood as interpretive communities that negatively interpret not only television content, like other religious communities, but also the medium itself. Their various negative interpretive strategies is discussed and the article shows how they are part of an “us-versus-them” attitude created to mark the boundaries and walls that enclave cultures build around themselves. The comparison between the two communities found only a few small differences but one marked similarity: The communities perceive avoidance of a tool for communication, in this case television, as part of the communities’ sharing, participation, and common culture.
Highlights
This study shows how Old Order Amish and ultra-Orthodox women’s discourse about television can help develop a better understanding of the creation, construction, and strengthening of limits and boundaries separating enclave cultures from the world
The Amish and ultra-Orthodox women who participated in this study shared with us their enclave cultures’ interpretative strategies toward one of the most important modern technologies: the television
Similar to other religious communities (Campbell, 2010; Hendershot, 2004), they deal with television content and see it as a bad influence
Summary
This study shows how Old Order Amish and ultra-Orthodox women’s discourse about television can help develop a better understanding of the creation, construction, and strengthening of limits and boundaries separating enclave cultures from the world. Based on questionnaires containing both closed- and open-ended questions completed by 82 participants, approximately half from each community, I argue that both communities can be understood as interpretive communities that negatively interpret television content, like other religious communities, and the medium itself Their various negative interpretive strategies is discussed and the article shows how they are part of an “us-versus-them” attitude created to mark the boundaries and walls that enclave cultures build around themselves. I argue that both communities can be understood as interpretive communities that negatively interpret television content, like other religious communities, and the medium itself Their various negative interpretive strategies will be discussed, and the article will show how those strategies are part of an “us-versus-them” attitude created to mark the boundaries and walls that enclave cultures build around themselves. Their religious and social lives are bound by a stringent interpretation of Jewish religious law, a commitment to the study of Torah (especially the Talmud), and to unquestioning faith in rabbinic authority (El-Or, 1994; Friedman, 1991)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
