What Is Rumspringa Amish

Among the Amish, Rumspringa simply refers to adolescence. During the period known as Rumspringa, beginning at about age 16, Amish youth are no longer under the total control of their parents on weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church.

What exactly is Rumspringa?

Rumspringa (Pennsylvania German pronunciation: [ˈrʊmˌʃprɪŋə]), also spelled Rumschpringe or Rumshpringa, is a rite of passage during adolescence, translated in English as “jumping or hopping around,” used in some Amish communities.

Why do the Amish community give their children Rumspringa?

Most of the world views rumspringa as an excuse for Amish teens to cut loose, but inside the community, it’s seen as a way for people to explore their faith. Some Amish view rumspringa as a vaccination against the outside world, while others see it as a test.