Devil's Playground Summary

The fascinating documentary, Devil’s Playground, is centered on a period called Rumspringa, which is a period of time when Amish youth, boys more than girls, experience greater freedom. They are no longer under the control of their parents on the weekends and, because they are not baptized, they are not yet under the authority of the church. During this time, many Amish youth adhere to traditional Amish behavior. Others, however, experiment with “worldly” activities (2014). The main question during Rumspringa is whether or not to be Amish.
When we think of the Amish we think of an old-timey lifestyle of hard labor and strong values. This documentary shows the other side that is kept secret. It shows girls dressed in their traditional dresses and white bonnets chugging beers and dancing. It shows boys dressed in “English” (how they refer to non-Amish Americans) clothing. It even shows the Amish teens in bed together. The Amish believe that being in the outside world is playing with fire.
He makes it clear that he does plan to be baptized into the church and live an Amish life, he just does not know when that will be and he is aware that he wants to “sow his wild oats” before that happens.
After interviews with Faron and many others, this documentary makes it clear that partying is not all that is on these teens’ minds. These young Amish adults are struggling with what they believe, how they feel, and what they want to