In class this week we were discussing religion when the Amish popped up. I really learned a lot because I truly had no idea about these people’s day to day lives. In this blog, I’m going to talk about the decisions and processes that lead up to a decision all Amish teens must make.
The Amish like to stay separate from the rest of us so that they can focus on God. They show this by wearing plain clothes (long dresses, suits, and hats), speaking Pennsylvania Dutch, and by not participating in governmental affairs. They also reject all technology including any sort of electricity like cars, lighting in their houses, radios, telephones, computers, electric stoves and TVs.
Amish teenager’s go to school usually in one room schoolhouses, and like their homes, the schoolhouse does not have electricity. Usually, there are three to four students in each grade. Every student has the same teacher. They learn similar subjects, like i did, including English, Math and History. Amish do have “recess” and like to play sports during this time but do not have designated sports teams after school, or any extracurricular activities related to school for that matter. The biggest difference I think is that the Amish are only allowed to go to school until 8th grade. After, boys will find jobs in either a factory, work on their family’s farm or in their family’s business. Unmarried Amish girls will work in shops or nearby homes. Once they marry, it will be their job to stay home and maintain their family’s house.
Amish teenager’s will usually only date other Amish, but not always. There have been cases were Amish teen’s have been known to date “English” teens to drive their parents crazy. When it comes to marriage, the Amish can only marry another Amish or they take the risk of being “shunned”.
When an Amish teen turns 16, they enter the Rumspringa. This is a time when they get a temporary “release” from Amish rules and restrictions. They get to use electricity and technology, wear regular clothes such as jeans and tee shirts, and experiment with “English” activities such as drinking. This time is given to them to help them decide whether or not they want to continue to be Amish for the rest of their lives.
“This is their time, If they’re going to return to the Amish church, this is the only time in their lives in which they are free not to be under the expectations of the Amish church.” Jackie Walker
Sometimes this time is too much to handle and often Amish teens get themselves into trouble. Rumspringa ends when they turn 20 and teens make the decision of returning, or not, to the Amish lifestyle. 95% usually return to the Amish lifestyle. If they choose to return they get baptized, join the church and have to give up all “English” activities and items they may have acquired.
Getting a better look at this life style fascinated me. I like how they look at life in such a simple way, though I’d never be able to accept that life style as my own
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chilenabravo 