Is Breaking Amish Right?

 

Now, Amish people have a very different way of doing things, but do we really need to see their struggle in the real world through a reality show?  Well, within a month, TLC has brought a reality show called “Breaking Amish” to Sunday nights.  The show is based on 4 Amish and 1 Mennonite that leave their homes for good and move to New York City where they start a new life.   There is Abe, Kate, Sabrina, Jeremiah, and Rebecca.  These 5 might seem normal (besides their clothes), but they actually have different ways of doing things in their hometown, so how will they survive in the real world?  Many difficulties come their way as they were never introduced to real world things and situations back in their homes.

Amish and Mennonite people believe in doing things different than everybody else.  They prefer not to use electricity, cars, and most electronics or devices.  There are different kinds of Amish; Ohio Amish, Lancaster County AMish, and Mennonites.  They tend to practice the same things and beliefs, but in stricter forms.  Rules are given to you by your church, and if you disobey them you can be shunned and not spoken to for weeks at a time.  Anything modern makes them feel they are separating from God; worldliness.  If you’re not Amish, than you are considered English, no matter what race you are.  It’s almost like going back in time.   The women get up early to wash, garden, clean, bake, sew, and much more.  Now, what for us would be almost impossible is that they can have phones, but they are used outside the house and are shared with other families.  Women can only ever wear dresses and men wear jeans and a striped shirt at the age of 16.  Driving can sometimes be okay for men, but women can NEVER drive.  Those are a lot different rules than we have in regular towns!

Breaking Amish has people questioning… Did the creators pay them to leave their home or did they choose to find the show?  Some believe that it is wrong of these 5 to leave their Amish lives forever.  I  mean, just think of saying goodbye to your family and friends forever!  Therefore, some refuse to watch it, being disappointed with TLC.  I do too, but it’s pretty interesting to watch.  Now, there are reasons that the addicting show is fake, such as; Jeremiah has a domestic violence arrest from 2005, Rebecca divorced someone before running off with Abe (who she is actually married to and has a child with), Jeremiah has an ex-wife, Abe has a public intoxication arrest in 2008, Sabrina got married in 2009, and sadly more.  So, this show is an entire lie?  That makes me wonder what else TLC is lying about.  I think that Breaking Amish should tell the truth on the show instead of people seeing pictures and reading articles on the internet!  No one should be watching this fake sob story of these 5 young adults’ terrible lives that never actually happened.    

~Allison McAlinden

Concussions

Only over the past few years the NFL has really started to learn more about the lasting effects of concussions. The game of professional football is a very physical sport. Athletes collide with each other at full speed and take blows equivalent to the force of a 30 mph car to the head and body throughout the game. Many times they can develop concussions without even knowing about them and play the rest of the game with them. Last season there were a total of 190 concussions reported in the NFL. Over time these concussions can take effect on the brain and lead to chronic brain injuries. The NFL is facing lawsuits from former players that are claiming that the NFL covered up research about concussions in 1994. I personally think the NFL knew about concussions but didn’t care much for them until they got sued.

The NFL has taken action in order to cut down on the risk of concussions.  In 2011 they implemented new guidelines about concussions. If a player is suspected of having a concussion they will be given a test and if they fail that test then they cannot play. They must pass the test before they are able to play again. This is a good rule on the leagues part because before stars would be pressured to play with concussions because their teams depended on them in order to win. Also the fans want to see them play, but playing with a concussion can only make it worse. Another rule is that if a player’s helmet gets knocked off he must come out of the game for one play. And finally the manufacturer of the helmets for the NFL has taken action in helping to make the helmets safer for the players. The NFL has even donated $30 million dollars to research about brain related injuries. I personally think the only reason the NFL is taken action is because of the lawsuit but atleast they are doing these things to make the sport of football more safe.

~Matt Bonito

The Dangers of Walking to School With No Sidewalks

(NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner) Children walk home from Snowhorse Elementary School in Kaysville.

Do you think it is safe to walk home from school with no sidewalks?  When there are no sidewalks students have to walk on the edge of the road. They could easily get hit by a car, especially if the road is narrow and two cars are trying to get by.  In the winter a student could slip and a car could be coming.  It could hit the student if he or she couldn’t get up in time.  Having no sidewalks to get to school is dangerous for students.

Sidewalks are an important piece of a walking route to school.  Paved sidewalks are ‘pedestrian lanes’ that provide people with space to travel within the public right-of-way.”  When I walk to school part of my route has no sidewalk.  I have to walk on the edge of the road and when cars pass by me they get really close.  One of these days I’m going to get hit by a car.  It’s dangerous!  Also, when it is raining cars whiz by and hit puddles that get me all wet. If I have to walk to school everyday then I should have sidewalks all the way so I can be safe.

~8th Grade Student