Sterton
Amish (Rumspringa)
Posted on: 10/06/2011 19:08
I have a question about the Amish. Yes I know not all Amish are the same just like not all of any particular group of people are the same.
So, if some teens practice “Rumspringa” (where the western media portrays some youth getting drunk, doing drugs, and having unproductive sex in the “city”) <& yes I know not all of them do this when out and about>, my question relates to what happens when (and if) they chose to return in regards to STDs.
I understand the Amish do not believe in premarital sex nor extramarital sex (correct me if I’m wrong: I’m sure you will). So would a perspective spouse be leery of marrying someone who has “gone wild” then returned (yes I know they welcome them back). Are they taught about STD/STI prevention / contraception before leaving or do they only know of abstinence (do they talk about this stuff)? Would these kids bring home diseases or do they get checked out for such things? The internet doesn’t really address this issue (nor do I know any Amish to ask) although with the rise of HPV some “articles” talk about lower fertility rates among Amish who were adventurous during Rumspringa.
And yes I know non-Amish bring home STDs as well.
No troll answers please. Thanks! :)
Comments
Sterton
Posted on: 10/06/2011 19:09
Whoa: sorry about the large text!
Elanorgold
Posted on: 10/07/2011 21:42
Don't like to see you getting no replies. I once read a short book about this sort of thing, many years ago... I would think yes they are somewhat the outcasts if they come back. I think that's what this book said. I don't think they get any teaching in contraception, quite a bum deal really. I don't know if they get checked out upon return... It did talk about how hard and lonely and confusing it was for young people leaving the Amish nest. No support, little preparation, lots of isolation.
Neo
Posted on: 10/07/2011 22:00
I didn't respond because I don't have much to say about the Amish. While they try to live on their own apart from modern society, they are no different than us. They wrestle with the same serpents that we do. Like the orthodox Jewish people, they seem rather chained to a belief system which, in my mind, prevents them from moving on.
somegalfromcan
Posted on: 10/07/2011 22:14
Sterton - this article may be of interest to you: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5455572.
Sterton
Posted on: 10/08/2011 20:09
Elanorgold: Thanks for replying! Yes I was sad at first too.
Yeah that's what I understand as well. :(
Neo: Yeah I minored in sociology in university and found it so interesting learning about different cultures etc. :)
Somegalfromcan: Thanks for the link: that's a very interesting article indeed!