Post-Rumspringa Experience

Teenagers go through an inevitable stage of rebellion, and it’s no different for the Amish teens. However, unlike most of us, the Amish give their youth a specific timeframe for them to explore and go all out on teenage activities. This rite of passage tradition is called the Rumspringa. Needless to say, this stage in their lives is a much-anticipated phase for all the Amish youth. However, the post-Rumspringa experience is a different story.

Once they’re done doing all the reckless activities teenagers typically engage in, the Amish youth are given a choice to leave or stay in the community. Many choose to stay, but many also choose to leave. It doesn’t really sound that daunting to us, but Amish people who choose to depart from the group risk being excommunicated by the entire Amish community, including their own families. Following their decision, they must live by themselves and live off their own investment money without coming to their families for help for the rest of their lives.