The Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers

The Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers is a captivating British documentary series produced by Channel 4. This television program aired in 2010, offering an intriguing, respectful, and illuminating examination of the Amish community, specifically, their teenagers and their unique lifestyles. The show's premise focuses on five Amish teenagers who, as part of their tradition known as Rumspringa, take a journey out of their reclusive and strict communities in the United States to experience the outside world.

Rumspringa arises from the belief that Amish teenagers should have an opportunity to see and explore the vastness of the modern world before they decide to commit themselves to their communal ethos permanently. This rite of passage is a critical moment in their lives. The series captures their wide-eyed exposure to technologies, societal norms, and customs that are mainstream for most Western teenagers but entirely alien to the Amish community.

The chosen concept of The Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers allows viewers to witness the meeting of two drastically different cultures, resulting in situations that are sometimes humorous, occasionally awkward, but always thought-provoking. The contrasts between the serene, secluded, traditional life of the Amish and the raucous, multimedia inundated, and fast-paced life of the modern world are laid bare for the audience.

The show begins with these teenagers leaving their peaceful Amish lives in Ohio and Pennsylvania, demonstrating their minimalistic lifestyle centered around hard work, family ties, religious observance, and community service. Their lives are devoid of modern comforts such as electricity, cars, televisions, and mobile phones. Upon entering Britain, they are introduced to the host families who will accommodate them during their stay.

The host families are typical British families complete with televisions, internet, and other amenities, which the teenagers have never used or encountered before. They are then exposed to multiple aspects of British teenage life, such as attending college, visiting bustling city centers, attending parties, and experiencing nightlife. The culture shock they go through and their reactions make the series a mesmerizing watch.

Each episode focuses on differing aspects of the British culture and associated norms. It explores how the Amish teenagers interact with these new experiences while holding on to their age-old beliefs and values. On this journey, they understand more about fashion, pop culture, dating, alcohol, technology, and more. The range of reactions from curiosity, bewilderment, excitement, discomfort to nostalgia and homesickness gives the audience an insight into their perspectives.

Beyond the culture shock, the show explores the internal journeys of these teenagers, their personal dilemmas, and their introspections. It becomes clear over time that, despite their physical journey from the Amish community to the UK, the real journey is inward. The difficulties they face, the possibilities they encounter, the freedoms they experience, all contribute to a profound transformation within them.

The Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers is a sensitive portrayal of these young people as they grapple with the complexities of a world vastly different from their own. These teenagers, perceived by the outside world as "square" due to their old-fashioned way of life, provide us with a fresh, untainted perspective on modern life and its complexities. They challenge in their simple way the things most people take for granted, making the audience question the essentiality of modern lifestyle conveniences.

The intriguing aspect that viewers will appreciate is how the show does not merely present these Amish teenagers as outsiders marvelling at the unfamiliar modern world. Instead, the series encourages viewers to look at their world through the teenagers' eyes, resulting in moments that are as delightful as they are insightful.

The Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers does not capitalize on the shock value of contrasting cultures, but it does ask viewers to consider how these diverging lifestyle ideologies co-exist in this diverse world. It's a compelling watch, a fascinating cultural crossover filled with moments that are humorous, intense, and poignant in equal measure.

In conclusion, the series is an interesting juxtaposition of cultures, societies and norms that offers a unique understanding of the Amish community, their traditions and primarily their rite of passage, making it a valuable addition to the catechism of documentary television.