For the most part, the 'experts' state the most obvious facts- the communities are male-oriented, dominated, ordained. Well duh.
Just because you don't like/understand their way of living doesn't make it wrong; there's many thriving Amish communities with no issues. Most you'll never hear of because they don't seek attention. Most communities are what we'd consider small- a population that of a small farm town barely incorporated.
The mental health issues are sad, and there's bound to be those who suffer with little to no attention other than being deemed possessed. But the rest of the 'civilized' world isn't too far ahead of this. Given time one would guess they'll have strides in this area, but there's no way to know for sure.
The family that for some reason decided to become Amish, then these children were abused? You know better and you're capable of fleeing- there's absolutely no reason for this abuse to occur, much less continue.
The family of mom and two daughters? I have zero sympathy nor empathy towards the mother- there's simply no valid reason for her atrocious behavior and actions towards her daughters. How she isn't completely abandoned by her daughters is a mystery, and I hope that some day they're strong enough to cut ties with her and let her lay in the abomination of a bed she made. She's gross and a disgusting excuse for a mother, and I sincerely hope the girls are getting the help they so desperately need. It's not complicated, and it's not difficult, mom is trying to absolve her reprehensible behavior by claiming her own victim status, and that, in and of itself, is condescending and ignorant.
Mary is the most in need of help, yet seems to be the one who hasn't gotten any. She's angry, she's throwing tantrums like a child, hurling expletives like a 12-year old that has just learned how to swear. I feel badly for her circumstances but it's difficult to muster any sympathy when she doesn't seem the least bit sympathetic. Her anger and vitriol make her seem self righteous and vile- and it leads me to believe she's in need of serious mental health services.
This series seems hellbent on a very specific bent towards portraying all Amish as evil incarnate, and willing to cast their children to the wolves, when in most areas, that's the furthest thing from the truth. Most communities thrive and prosper with little to no issues- and their ability to forgive has been a shining light to the rest of us. As an example, the gunman who opened fire on an entire schoolhouse, at West Nickel Mines Lancaster County, PA., but not before raping numerous little girls. Charles Roberts shot 10 and killed 5 in 2006, then turned the gun on himself, and the community encircled his widow and forgave.
Every single community in the world has evil dwelling among them- the Amish are certainly no exception. But to portray this as 'The Amish' as if their entire grouping is somehow guilty is disingenuous and gross. It's simply no different than castigating the entirety of the Muslim community for one person shooting Fort Hood. Saying everyone who dwells below the Mason-Dixon Line are all backwards racists because one person committed the crime of fire bombing churches. Amish pay taxes the way the rest of America does, and every community has wickedness. Stop behaving as if they're all bad because some are awful people.
