Amish, not as simple as you think!!

When most people think of the Amish, they think of “Little House on the Prairie”. I know I do. No electricity, horse and buggy, long dresses, and farm work. All of these are true. I researched and wrote a paper for one of my social work classes about the Amish culture. Little is written about them, mainly because they are extremely private and do not welcome “outsiders”. The fact also that little has changed in almost 300 years lends to the lack of current information. The research I found regarding the Amish “Rumspringa”, again was small and narrowly focused. I then viewed the film, “Devils Playground” and boy were my eyes opened!! The film was about Amish teenagers actually experiencing Rumspringa, or “sowing their wild oats”. It was amazing how these seemingly sheltered young people know where and how to obtain the materials needed to throw a huge party. Materials such as alcohol and drugs, items denied them their whole life. These teenagers, who for 16 years were told when, what, and how to do everything in their lives are then freed to do whatever they please. Some move out of their parents homes, as one boy put it, ”because he doesn’t have 200 channels and a refrigerator full of beer at home”. Rumspringa can last for a few months to several years, with almost 90% of the youth returning to the Amish religion and a life long commitment to remain Amish. Some, however, never return or wait several years to do so. The requirements for returning are more than some are willing to do. One boy, Faron, was addicted to meth, and was actually arrested for possession. He had decided to return and had to get himself clean. Before he returned he got involved with another Amish girl who had decided not to return. The dynamics of Amish life, while on the surface seem quite simple; can be very confusing, even to the Amish themselves. In a rare interview, parents who had experienced Rumspringa themselves admitted they missed certain parts of the “English” world, specifically the music. Yet, they decided to return rather than face eternal damnation. I can somewhat understand the dilemma these youth are facing. You are raised all your life to believe and act a certain way, because it is right and God requires it. Then you are given a taste of the way God does not want you to live and it is fun, exciting, and liberating. How can one go from making no choices in his life to making one of the most important choices of his life? This is one dilemma I am glad I do not have to deal with.