Amish Teens Make Choice of Lives

Summary

The video follows Amish teenagers as they navigate the challenging transition of Rumspringa, a tradition where they experience life outside their community before making a decision to stay or leave the Amish faith. Through the stories of Lena, Harley, and Nelson, we witness their internal struggle between modern freedoms and Amish values. The film highlights the cultural clash, the pressure of family expectations, and the ultimate decision to either embrace or reject their upbringing. With rare insights into the Amish lifestyle, the video captures the emotional weight of these young adults' monumental choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Amish Coming of Age tradition, Rumspringa, allows teenagers to explore life outside their community and make critical life decisions.
• 😀 Lena, the youngest of 11 children, navigates the tension between Amish tradition and the allure of modern freedom, with moments of doubt about her future.
• 😀 Lena secretly uses her phone and listens to music, representing her struggle between embracing modernity and staying true to her Amish roots.
• 😀 Harley, at 19, is the oldest of 13 children, and while he respects Amish traditions, he desires some modern conveniences, such as driving and technology.
• 😀 Amish teenagers like Harley often experience sadness when leaving their families, but some find it difficult to reconcile their choices with the Amish community's expectations.
• 😀 Nelson, another Amish teenager, is caught between his faith and his love for modern gadgets, highlighting the pull of contemporary culture even within the Amish lifestyle.
• 😀 The Amish community enforces strict boundaries on technology, banning cars, electricity, and other modern comforts in favor of traditional values that they believe strengthen family and faith.
• 😀 Amish teens face the difficult choice of whether to stay in their community, where they must relinquish modern technology, or leave and embrace a different way of life.
• 😀 Many Amish teenagers feel conflicted about the potential loss of family and community ties if they leave, as leaving can result in shunning by their families and religious community.
• 😀 The Amish view the decision to be baptized into their faith as a major life choice, where accepting the faith means accepting a life without modern technology, formal education beyond 8th grade, and the expectations of Amish rules and customs.

Q & A

What is Rumspringa, and why is it significant for Amish teenagers?

Rumspringa is a coming-of-age tradition in Amish culture that translates loosely to 'time for running around.' It marks a period when Amish teenagers are allowed to experience the outside world, including modern technology and lifestyle, before making a final decision about whether to remain in the Amish faith or leave it behind.

How does Lena feel about the contrast between her Amish upbringing and the modern world?

Lena expresses a desire for freedom and enjoys aspects of modern life, like using a phone and texting people, which are kept secret from her Amish community. She struggles with the confusion of living in two worlds, as she doesn't fully identify with Amish values but feels the weight of familial expectations.

What are the challenges faced by Amish teenagers like Lena when deciding whether to stay or leave the community?

The main challenge is the risk of losing their family and community ties. If they leave the Amish faith, they risk being shunned by their families and peers, and they must come to terms with the difficult decision of whether to adopt modern life or stay within the strict confines of Amish traditions.

How does Harley’s perspective on modern life differ from his Amish upbringing?

Harley embraces certain aspects of modern life, such as driving a car and working outside of the Amish community. However, he still feels the pull of his Amish background and experiences sadness and guilt about distancing himself from his family, even though he feels it is necessary for his personal growth.

What role does family play in the decision-making process for Amish teenagers like Lena and Harley?

Family plays a central role in the decision-making process. The fear of disappointing or being shunned by family members is a constant concern. For example, Harley feels that his parents are disappointed in him but tries to respect them by living near them without causing trouble. Similarly, Lena is deeply concerned about the impact her choices will have on her family.

How does the Amish community view modern technology, and how does it affect teenagers like Nelson?

The Amish community rejects modern technology, believing it weakens family bonds and encourages vanity. However, teenagers like Nelson are conflicted, as they enjoy modern gadgets like iPods and phones but understand that embracing these technologies would lead to rejection of their Amish faith.

What are the potential consequences for Amish teenagers if they decide to leave their faith?

Leaving the Amish faith can result in being shunned by family and community, which could lead to a life of isolation. Teenagers who choose to leave face the difficult decision of whether to give up the support of their Amish upbringing for a life in the outside world, which can be overwhelming and alienating.

What does Nelson mean when he says he is 'a thoroughly modern young man'?

Nelson’s statement highlights the contradiction he feels as an Amish teenager who enjoys modern technology like phones and iPods, but still lives within the constraints of Amish life. It reflects the tension between his desire for modern comforts and the need to adhere to Amish traditions.

What is the significance of the 'search and rescue mission' involving Danny?

The search and rescue mission represents the lengths to which some Amish teenagers will go to escape the pressures of Amish life. Danny, who has run away from his Amish community, is being helped by Harley and others who understand his desire for freedom but also know the risks involved in leaving the faith.

How does the Amish tradition of being shunned influence the decisions of young people like Harley and Lena?

The threat of being shunned is a major deterrent for Amish teenagers in their decision-making process. Both Harley and Lena acknowledge the emotional and social weight of being rejected by their families and the community. This fear of alienation plays a critical role in whether they ultimately decide to stay in the Amish faith or leave it.