New Show Focuses on Amish Teens Nightclubbing, Sunbathing and…Using Technology
- Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:35pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Back on 2004, there was “Amish in the City,” a UPN show highlighting what it was like for young Amish folk to leave their rural surroundings and venture into urban life. Now, National Geographic has “Amish on Break,” a slightly more educational experience that documents five Amish teenagers’ expedition to London, where they experience technology and big city life for the first time.
Here‘s the network’s official description of the show:
Amish teenagers leave their sheltered community for the first time to spend four weeks abroad in the United Kingdom. It’s a trip full of firsts — first time on an airplane, first visit to the ocean and first nightclub. We’ll see how they react to the seedy streets of London, street performers and the hedonistic lifestyle of an indie rock band they befriend. We’ll also see how their simple life clashes with that of the British upper classes.
You may be wondering how these youngsters are able to engage in these activities. Interestingly, the Amish have a tradition called “rumspringa,“ which very literally means ”running around.” When they turn 15, males and females are released into the world for a year (before they are officially baptized into the church at 16) so that they can be exposed to all of the things the Amish faith and way of life prevents them from engaging in.
While it seems counterintuitive, the tradition allows the youngsters to see the world and then decided whether they want to return to Amish life. Most, of course, return home. Mail Online has more about rumspringa:
This enables them to do things which are usually forbidden, such as wearing non-traditional clothing, using electricity, driving cars, watching television and even drinking and smoking with people from outside their community.
Below, watch a clip that shows some background:
And, here they are enjoying the beach:
(h/t Mail Online)
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Comments (84)
Patriot Z
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:44pmnot unusual as it sounds. the teens are given the opportunity to review the outside world and way of like then the chooose to either forsake that world and live as Amish, or leave and make their way. During this time, they hang out, fringk , smoke, do drugs, have sex goto movies, play games drive cars etc. if they choose to give it up then it all goes bye bye.
Report Post »symbolsofa
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:24pm• In Spain a man can date his sister in the name of democracy.
Report Post »• In Sweden a man can date his daughter.
• In U.K. a man can marry a man in the name of democracy.
• What do we have here in our homes?
Abortion “Killing of Babies” gets the ok but they brand Shariah as extreme when our system is a perfect and just system for all mankind which has full proof “Scientifically, Mentally and Spiritually” etc… the youths of the muslim world will never accept the present worst form of western democracy,To the Non-Muslim Governments and Organizations your Democratic System is flawed and is not considered by us an international law, all the flaws of your Democratic System will be revealed and challenged by our panel of international Muslim Jurist. islam will prevail in this world, as non muslims become oppressors in this world and they are trying to stop islam and they are spreading hatred in the world against islam and muslims and imposing unjust war over muslims.
DeepSouthernMan
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:41pmDoubt it.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 8:45pmIncest is also not illegal in Israel as long as both parties are 18 +. Not just some euro countries but Japan also have no incest laws. A couple US states allow incest in varying levels.
Report Post »bachstar
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:06pmI know people willing to introduce you to 72 virgin pieces of lead, are you interested?
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:20pmLooks more like an attempt to corrupt them to me!
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:16pmSee it all the time ultra religion being forced on people never works, you have to make choices what to follow on your own!!!
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:49pmI watched the show and was pleasantly surprised at how they did not wish to trample on the individual choices of others, while still adhering to their beliefs. Many folks here should take a few notes from these Amish teens. Much respect from this non-Christian.
Report Post »as_mad_as_hell
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:40pmFolks, pardon the pedantry, but is it too much to ask that you use a reference if you don’t know to spell something? They are “MENNONITES”, not “Minonites” (sic). Yesterday, a commentary used the word “unic” (sic) when I believe “eunuch” was intended. I know I’ll probably catch heat for this comment, but can’t we all let the libs look bad with their run-on sentences and misspellings? Just a thought.
Report Post »DeepSouthernMan
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:18pmYou’ll catch no “heat” from this corner. People who post text loaded with misspellings seem (to me) to be mentally lazy. Spell check IS only a right-click away. I know friends have castigated me before for being a stickler, but I have several points. 1.-If you only speak one language, shouldn’t you master that one? 2.-Text communications do not benefit from body language inferences or voice inflections. Wouldn’t it be prudent to insure your words are as concise, expressive, and correct as possible? 3.-If you display laziness (to me) through your writing, I’m led to question your factual accuracy when retelling, or formulating. your point.
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 8:53amStanding up for the correct use of the language and the continued fight against laziness should not need to be defended. However, I had a girl i work with ask me “Why I use all dem big words.” (I generally don’t in work because i know the crowd.) It brings up the point that to be clear, comunication should always be the shortest, simplist form possible. One never can completely know their crowd and their limitations. Love the line “Sorry for the long letter, but i didnt have time to write a short one.” (Probably slightly miss quoted for u sticklers out there). We loose so much by being in such a hurry today. It tempts us to comprimises our integrity in so many ways!
Report Post »Congratulations to the Amish for hanging on to theirs.
Airb0rne4325
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:39pmWho-Hoo!!! Rumspringa Rocks!!
Report Post »smlgov
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:17pmThey must be a more modern group of Amish. The Amish in our area of Indiana don’t allow their pictures to be taken.
Report Post »richard bensen
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 10:21pmHow about at 15 being allowed alcohol ? Is the law the same?
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:14pmIf your lifestyle is decent, the democratic liberals and their msm, hollywood allies will try to destroy it. They think someone living the Amish lifestyle is deprived, no access to sex, drugs and hip hop music. The msm believe the Amish must be liberated so they can live the lifestyle of the deprived.
Report Post »Michael600r
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:09pm“MONICNE
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:47pm
I watched 10 minutes of this yesterday – WOW, the Amish are making money selling stuff at brightly lit stalls in Malls, using cell phones and Facebook, and appearing on TV!
I guess our little 12-year old sexting buddy (yesterday’s Blaze) could be a “good Amish” man after all!”
If you think this is representative of the majority of Amish people then you need to head to Amish country and take a look around.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 10:54pmOh just ignore that useless troll.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:07pm“…London… hedonist… lifestyle…” is there need to say more? The EU, Brits especially, are so far down the gutter they can’t see daylight- and this is what the dim-Ocrap White House wants us to emulate.
Report Post »roughneck.seay
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:59pmFunny, I’ve been trying to learn a thing or two from them…. We might should go there way insted of them coming ours.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:43pmRidiculous, and I sure am glad that the boughs of Joseph go over many walls.
Report Post »robbiehawk
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:25pmThis enables them to do things which are usually forbidden, such as wearing non-traditional clothing, using electricity, driving cars, watching television and even drinking and smoking with people from outside their community.
Ok reading this description they would be doing some of these things illegally – most kids cannot drive at 15, forget buying cigarettes until you are 18, and most definitely drinking until you are 21. They should be more specific about what age these people are.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:52pmROFL, how navie are you…
I was Drinking at age 14, by the time I was 21 I was burned out of drink and stopped, and have not had a drink since my late 20′s
But but thats illegal …. So is selling Raw Milk, What is your point
Report Post »robbiehawk
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:07pmI am not naive about ages of kids doing things; I was referring to the show’s description at the top of this story.
They are writing about the premise of the story and included in it they state that rumspringa starts at 15 etc., and that the amish kids can experience driving, drinking and smoking. I don’t think the executive producers of a show would open themselves up to any kind of charges with kids and underage drinking. That is my point. Thanks for asking.
Report Post »shelmut85
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:23pmHa! My grandparents are Amish. The green dress girl is far from Amish, and I guarantee her family has a car. It may be painted completely black, including the bumpers and wheels, but they have a car.Her old man was wearing blue jeans, for crying out loud!
Also, the article states that “rumspringa” starts at 15 and lasts for a year. It actually starts at 16, and lasts however long they want it to last…usually until they want to get married in the Amish church.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:20pmI watched this whole thing the other day and it should be noted that just as there are different church denominations in the outside world there are also different Amish beliefs (as was pointed out on Larry the Cable guy’s America show and also how the states got their shapes). One of the girls said they came from a strict ordnung (no rumspringa, not allowed to teach science, geography etc). and her family thought they were too overbearing thus leaving but have stuck with the Amish lifestyle regardless of having been shunned by the group they used to belong to.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:08pmi watched the show before…UNLESS this is something new. It shows the Amish kids at 18 take “one year” off to get away from the community. After one year, they choose whether to go back or stay in this Roman Empire which we all created (AND SOON TO COLLAPSE)
Report Post »miles from nowhere
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:04pmI could care less, I am more concered about the destrution of the country by Obama and the Democratic Senators that make up lies on a daily basis.
Report Post »NetGear
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:02pmEverything started going downhill when they sold Amana…
Report Post »GdHUs
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:46amNETGEAR
Report Post »I have no idea of what you’re talking about. Please explain yourself.
SuttonShimai
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:32pmThe Amana Colonies in Iowa started off as a similar community and is a tourist place today, but they eventually started making Amana appliances. The Amana Corporation is now owned by Whirlpool.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:00pmhey, it is part of their beliefs, they allow them at sixteen to go out and experience the world no matter how bad, then they must come back and decide whether or not they want to become Amish all the way or live in this crazy world, we all had to make some kind of decision when we were younger .you have to become your own person,you have to fall down and learn to get up and dust yourself of and do it again,that is how we learn, so more power to the Amish for allowing their kids to fall down and experience the outside world, at least they will have leaned what the real world is like,not like alot of these kids today,they are given everything under the sun and never allowed to fall down and get back up on their own,they are babied way to much and will never learn anything but how to get everything for free,or what they thing they deserve.
Report Post »gman4691
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:35pmIt’s pretty telling that most of them choose to remain in the Amish community. Their family bonds should be admired. Out here in the rest of the world, marriages are like American-made cars – lots of bumps and dings and usually don’t last five years.
Report Post »ddp77
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:58pmGo back home!! Your life is so much better!!
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:53pm“rumspringa” = the life of non-Amish “modern” Americans from ages 2 through 30.
Report Post »SummerB
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:49pmO/T, but just wanted to give my fellow blazers the following info.:
Van Jones has started a new website at ‘rebuildingthedream’ with a streaming video at 8:15 tonight. There’s a comprehensive article on him jumpstarting his new progressive campaign at alternet.org
*On 6/16I attempted to post with several links included, but my post went to moderation. Haven’t checked again, but 3 days later my post was still in moderation. Oversight, a lack of moderation or post not approved???
Report Post »Lover of America
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:46pmAmerican children should be sent to Amish communities to get a taste of reality.
Report Post »CalvinandHobbes
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:24pmMy thoughts exactly…They would then appreciate what they have!!
Report Post »BeardedDog
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:03pmThat is actually a GREAT idea.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:43pmIf things really go to hell in this country, the Amish will be better prepared than most for survival, but not so much in self-defense.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:35pmyou bet ! hey the Amish hunt and love guns.I have Amish friends and live 30 minutes from one of their large communities… no libs there…
Report Post »frustratedwithgovt
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:29pmCome on now – All these kids play farmville. I’m sure they will pick it up just fine…..
Report Post »Nostradumbass
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 4:39amNah, I dunna think so, they ain‘t got no survival seeds and they ain’t buying no gold coins. Dry ain’t smart lyke uss. We gut gold and survival seedscuz we believe in nostradumbass.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:40pmThey should be teaching OUR kids how to grow crops – pitch hay – shoe horses – and repair things witout technology
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:47pmI watched 10 minutes of this yesterday – WOW, the Amish are making money selling stuff at brightly lit stalls in Malls, using cell phones and Facebook, and appearing on TV!
I guess our little 12-year old sexting buddy (yesterday’s Blaze) could be a “good Amish” man after all!
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:49pmOoops I was watching a different show – NOT NatGeo! But it was “Amish Tech,” absolutely.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:53pm@Eric the Red State:
I have known many Amish folks, and the related group of brethren the Minonites; they are remarkable folks, hard working and dedicated to their beliefs. The main point on the show should also emphisise that they have a choice to remain with their folks and the faith, or to go out into the world and seek their own fortunes and paths laid out before them.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:55pmGotta watch out in London. The Brits are notorious drinkers!
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:17pmIf you love someone,set them free. If they come back, the love is real and reciprocated. I think this is a fantastic tradition. I rarely meet “former Amish”, I have several Amish friends, the most trustworthy and loving friends I have EVER had. If this is how they have been sucessfully living and thriving, I have NO problem with it. I must say though, even though I have Amish friends, they do not speak of this. If pressed they will admit it(sometimes tearfully). I do know they are not big on expose of their lives, so I am not going to extend my bloviation any further than this.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:24pmERIC, I couldn’t agree more. Our kids are way too techno (word?), they need to learn the simple life as they are soon going to need it. Maybe the show should be a ‘trading places’ type situation.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:36pm@ Eric_The_Red, The Amish will gladly teach others how to grow crops,how to take care of farm animals and how to survive without electricty,They bother no one ,I admire them for their beliefs.If you live close to any i suggest you visit them and get to know them,ask questions,I did and the men were happy to talk to me,notice i said talk to the men,cause the women will not talk to you unless they have to for some reason but i am sure the women would talk to your wife or daughters
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:19pmThe “Brits” look like they want too be some American hipsters, strange.
Hey Book look out for them English.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:21pm@338Lapula:
The Amish are one of the folks you can trust emphatically when a word is given with a handshake; they do the best to fulfill their bond and ask others to keep the same in turn. Indeed there is much we can learn about the basics of life from them, especially in being independant and also the value of family and community.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:16pmGood lord not sunbathing!!!!!!
Report Post »wolfmanradio
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:32pmI would have to second that. These kids under the age of 50 have no idea how to fix anything themselves. Just because one can afford to have someone else come fix something, doesn’t mean that one should have someone else fix that thing. There is a lot to be said for fixing one’s own things.
Report Post »LAM2
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:54pmRecently watched an episode of Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy during which he spent some time with an Amish family. The father of the home explained that there are many Amish groups, each deciding what level of plainness vs outside influence they will accept/adopt. I was impressed with the deep sense of community and neighborliness I saw among them.
Report Post »youhavegottobejoking
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 8:55pmMost amish do not farm anymore. Most are daylaborers and tehy have lost most of what makes them different other than their clothes and language. They use computers have cell phones and this show makes it a bit ridiculous because most amish have watched movies et al. this is pure “reality T.V.” and nothing more.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:52amI happened to see this a couple days ago, and my wife and I found it fascinating. I don’t agree with some of their practices, but highly respect their sincerity and commitment to faith. It was remarkable, and I wish I were as prepared for life without technology as they are.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 3:16amIts worse on the streets for them. We have grown insensitive to it,,,they’re seeing much of it for the first time. It‘s sad that it won’t take long to corrupt them. I wonder how many DON’T come back.
Report Post »one years food ration like glenn says
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 8:53amYes , lets go after one of the last sacred and moral people in the U.S and trash them too so we can show how tolerant we should be… Unbelievable..
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 10:29amThe Amish are awesome.
Report Post »gman4691
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:31pmIndded, sir. You are correct. Personally, I think growing food should be part of every school’s curriculum. As should, fishing, hunting, and working with hand tools. If nothing else, it may instill a sense of appreciation for the multitude of conveniences that we enjoy day-to-day. Too many people today think that lettuce comes in plastic bags.
Report Post »splatman66
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:49pmAmen!
Report Post »Sneddog
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:59pmI totally agree with that. The major majority of our youth can’t do anything for themselves. There should be a program where kids get to go do time with an Amish community it would teach them respect, order, self reliance, self esteem, etc.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 3:23pmYes, it’s kinda sad to see these kids leave the nest. But whatcha gonna do? How you gonna keep them down on the farm, after they’ve seen Pariee? They only think it‘s a better life because it’s all new to them, but I remember that program about kids leaving Amish lives and made a mess of their lives because it was too different from their humble beginnings. I admire the Amish, I have one of their rockers. In my area, it’s the Mennonites. Hard working & not as isolated from reality.
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