Amish Culture in the Film Devil's Playground

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When an adolescent in the Amish culture turns sixteen, they are encouraged to pursue “Rumspringa”- a period of time to go experience the English world, free from traditional Amish restrictions. The intention of this exposure is to give teenagers the experience of life outside the restrictive Amish community and truly decide if they want to join the Amish church and its traditions or live in the English world. During this period, parents and elders of the Amish church allow children to be their own authority. They do not question the actions taken, regardless of the dangers or consequences of those decisions. The Amish community believes this is the best method for the adolescents to decide their fate freely. I however, disagree with this hands’ off, ignore-the behavior approach Amish parents and leaders take with their children. I believe the approach of introducing inexperienced youths to uninhibited freedom, without warning or guidance, increases risk-taking behaviors and provides the adolescents with a skewed view of what the “outside world” has to offer. Yes, the majority of the Amish children return to the community after Rumspringa, but did they really get an accurate picture of what a balanced English life could be?
Amish adolescents are not properly educated before, or during, Rumspringa about the consequences they may encounter with certain English-life decisions. They are taught, however, that the actions during Rumspringa will be washed away and forgotten, should they join the Amish church. Much like a wild bachelor party take in Vegas, once the groom says his vows it is as if it never happened. What happens in Rumspringa, stays in Rumspringa. When you consider that these Amish adolescents have had a forced restriction ...

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...Amish community- whether they resent it or not. The Amish culture is admirable because of their restraint and dedication to their belief. However, their neglect for their children’s actions during Rumspringa is increasing their exposure to damaging behaviors. The hands-off approach is presented as this tolerant attitude toward Rumspringa youth while they explore the sin-filled world. In reality, I think these parents are purposefully not providing these young adults with the education and advice that they need to ensure that they will fall victim to an unsatisfying life- full of shallow relationships, declining health, disappearing funds, and no purpose beyond the next party. I believe if they were more involved during this formative Rumspringa period it would decrease the risk-taking behaviors and allow the adolescents to accurately choose their future’s lifestyle.

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