Apprenticeships of Amish Teenagers Conflict with Federal Safety Laws

May 4, 2001

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On May 4, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "the centuries-old Amish tradition of allowing teen-agers to serve apprenticeships in sawmills and woodworking shops clashed yesterday at a Senate hearing with the government's desire to ensure workplace safety. The Amish want the law changed so that when their sons leave school [after eighth grade] they can legally work in family owned shops."