Ep 26. I'm Ex Amish
- TV14
- March 8, 2010
- 42 min
In the True Life season 12 episode 26 titled "I'm Ex Amish," viewers get an inside look into the lives of a few individuals who have left behind the traditional way of Amish living. The show begins by introducing a few ex-Amish individuals who have taken different paths since leaving the community. Some have adapted to the outside world more easily than others, but all have struggled to some extent.
The first interviewee is a man who left his Amish community after discovering he was gay. He speaks candidly about the difficulty of reconciling his sexuality with his religious beliefs. He talks about the negative reactions he received from members of his community when he tried to come out, and how he eventually made the difficult decision to leave. Now living in a more accepting community, he is still grappling with the aftermath of leaving his family and everything he knew behind.
The next segment focuses on a woman who left the Amish community after getting pregnant out of wedlock. She talks about the stigma attached to single motherhood in her community and the pressure she felt to conform to their strict beliefs. She shares how difficult it was to leave her family and close-knit community but also how much freedom she has found since leaving. The show gives viewers a glimpse into her new life and how she has been able to build a support system outside of her Amish community.
The final interview is with a man who left the Amish community to pursue a higher education. He talks about the importance of education and how it was discouraged in his community. He shares how difficult it was to leave his family and everything he knew behind, but how he feels it was ultimately worth it. Viewers get to see the challenges he faces as he tries to navigate the outside world and pursue his dreams.
Throughout the show, viewers get a more nuanced understanding of Amish life and the complexities of leaving such a close-knit community. The individuals featured are all at different stages of their journey, and the show does a good job of highlighting both the difficulties and rewards of leaving the community.
Overall, the episode "I'm Ex Amish" is an insightful and eye-opening look at the lives of those who have left the Amish community and the struggles they face. It provides viewers with a better understanding of the challenges of leaving such a traditional community and how individuals must navigate a new way of life. The show does an excellent job of highlighting the importance of individuality and the need to be true to oneself, even in the face of opposition.