Each teenager goes through a certain phase where they experience that first taste of rebellion – and the Amish are fully aware of this. They know that their lifestyle isn’t accepted by all, so they’ve created an event which is a rite of passage, in some ways.
Known as “Rumspringa”, which translates to “running around”, the event sees teens between 14 and 18 exiting the community for a period of time, to experience “English” life. Because you know, it wouldn’t be fair to not allow Amish kids to experience life outside their world. But in saying this, there’s another side which has led to some members leaving the community!
School’s Out Past 8th Grade
Forget going to college, the Amish stop going to school past the 8th grade! They believe that learning anything more than what you do in this grade is unnecessary. Formal education isn’t required because most of the Amish will work on the land or focus on tasks that don’t require a university education.
It may seem a bit sexist, but the Amish, being as conservative and traditional as they are, ensure that men have chosen their life’s profession by then, and the women automatically go into domestic roles. There’s no need for calculus here, it seems!
They Play Slow-Pitch Softball.
Amish do enjoy sports and they like to play a lot of basketball, volleyball, and softball. And make no mistake, some of the Amish teens are very athletic, indeed good enough to play college athletics if ever given a chance.
For decades, summer weekends consist of large softball games that welcome other teams from all over the country and include some teams with Amish teens on rumspringa.
Strange Dating Rules
In Western society, it’s a worry for many parents that their children are sexually active. Many parents will put obstacles in the way of it happening. But the Amish, on the contrary, allow their kids to “sleep” together. However, it’s not at all what you're thinking.
The Amish take dating quite seriously, and it involves a process known as “bundling” – a girl and a boy who are seeing each other share a bed one night. They are fully clothed, and not touching one another, but they sleep side by side. This practice is supposed to help strengthen their bond.
Three Strikes and You’re Out!
'Meidung' means someone is shunned by the Amish community. Depending on the crime they've committed, and its impact on the community, some members can even receive the almighty “Bann”, which sees them totally excommunicated.
Depending on the infraction, the shunning from the community can last as long as several months. While it may seem harsh, it is enforced to ensure that the individual can reflect on their wrongdoing and genuinely apologize.