Rumspringa (running around) — a period when a teenager can try worldly life before accepting baptism.

What's Allowed

Depends on community. Lenient: may attend parties, wear worldly clothes, listen to music. Strict: may socialize with 'English' but no more. Very lenient (rare): may drive a car, live in the city, work at a worldly job.

Reality

Hollywood shows Rumspringa as wild orgies. Reality is modest: most teens just attend parties with other Amish teens, drink beer, listen to country, ride in friends' cars. Nothing criminal.

Baptism

Between 18-22, the teenager decides: remain Amish (baptism) or leave for the world. Baptism is a conscious adult choice. That's why Amish oppose infant baptism — a person must choose.

Statistics

85-90% return and accept baptism. Not because they don't know the alternative — they do. But because the world they saw didn't appeal more than what they already have.