Reality television is exploitative, make no mistake. Viewers flock to Snooki, the Real Housewives of This or That Place and the Duggar army because they like the voyeurism, the ability to look in on other people’s bizarre lives and insane decisions.
But at least the stars are benefiting. Snooki certainly doesn’t mind building a brand out of Jersey Shore. The issue really makes one think — or change the channel — when the main players aren’t getting anything out of the game.
Enter Breaking Amish. The Amish tradition of rumspringa, a period in a person’s early 20s when he or she ventures out into the modern world and experiences life before returning to the Amish community, is now a voyeuristic reality show thanks to TLC.
But are the young Amish people just being taken advantage of? See the story at The Atlantic.
