Free was able to find that although very far apart, both Samoan and American adolescent girls had very similar experiences of maturation (Freeman, 1983). Freeman’s reports started a controversary in the Anthropology field and his suggestions of Mead’s studies being false stirred
up immense drama.
2.
Based on the required videos and readings, outline and explain the Amish rite of passage
known as “Rumspringa.” Illustrate how this rite of passage follows Arnold van Gennep’s three stages. (5 marks)
Arnold Van Gennep has said that the three stage of the rite of passage are separation, transition and reincorporation (Herdt, 2006). The Amish community allows their youth to participate in a rite of passage tradition called rumspringa, which loosely translate to running around (Outsiders, 2009). This ritual allows for youth at the age of 16 to explore the world of the “English” before deciding to be baptized and fully accept the Amish way of life (Ferguson, 2024). The Amish way of life is quite strict, as founded by Jacob Ammann, it has not changed much since the 16
th
century (Ferguson, 2024). Ammann enforced rules that encompassed dress,
hygeine, grooming, and living styles (Ferguson, 2024). Throughout rumspringa, the young people are separated from their community, and their family and community turn a blind eye to
their actions. While some of the young people continue to live in their communities, many choose to leave and fully experience the English world to the full capacity (Outsiders, 2009). While through rumspringa the youth are able to communicate with their families, but understand that the choices and actions being go against all that was learned growing up. This is
distinctive to the first step of separation in the rite of passage theory as explained by Van Gennep, and proves his theory (Herdt, 2006). This step allows for the youth to understand what their lives could feel like, beyond the Amish community. From age 16 onward, this period is a
