Dr Phil Amish Confidential: Are Amish Women Birthing Animals?

Dr Phil: Behind the Buggies and Bonnets

I knew there was a show called Amish Mafia, but apparently I have been missing out on a whole lot of drama, as I learned when some of the show’s stars came on Dr Phil’s stage to have it out. The issue at hand is that cast member Levi recently published a book called Amish Confidential that exposes some secrets about the Amish community that others might have preferred to keep to themselves.

Merlin, Levi’s nemesis on the show, is suspicious of Levi’s motives and thinks that it may be unfair to spread these closely guarded tenets of the faith. Dena, a friend of Merlin’s, also came along to share her thoughts on what it is like for women in their faith. Have you seen Amish Mafia? What do you think about the stars bringing their dispute to Dr Phil?

Dr Phil: Do Book Proceeds Benefit the Amish Community?

One of Levi’s motivations for writing the book was that tourism companies are always profiting by associating themselves with Amish communities, even though the Amish do not make any money from these companies or businesses. Dr Phil wanted to know whether Levi was putting his profits from the book back into the community. To say it another way, is Levi putting his money where his mouth is?

“I don’t make that much money off of it,” Levi said. He said that he did not donate his proceeds from the book, but he does support the community with regular donations and when it is in need. Merlin wasn’t satisfied with this answer, but he set Levi up for a nice retort: “No, you didn’t buy it. Somebody gave you the book.”

Dr Phil: Stealing from Charity & Rigged Buggy Races

What is Amish Aid? Amish Aid is similar to insurance for the community, according to Levi. It is a charitable fund that Amish people can turn to in times of need, such as to help with hospital bills or insurance. However, Merlin thinks that Levi has been stealing from Amish Aid, which does not seem like it would go over well. Levi accused Merlin of lying.

Merlin admitted that he has no proof, but he thinks that Levi has been up to a lot of tricks, including potentially rigging buggy races. Merlin recalled losing a race to Levi, and explained that it was because money-hungry Levi rigged the outcome so that he would win over Merlin. Do you believe Merlin, or do you think he is just bitter?

Dr Phil: Amish Humiliation and Fear

Levi revealed some unflattering truths about the Amish community in his book. Dr Phil said that Levi describes the environment as “often a society of humiliation and fear.” Merlin said that fear and humiliation are taught in the community to prevent people from becoming vain and to keep them true to their heritage. Merlin’s friend Dena was also on hand to share her perspective on how women are treated and represented in the Amish community.

According to Dena, Depression is rampant among Amish women. Dr Phil wanted to know what she thought the reason for that might be. She said that Amish women do not have a voice. Since their role in the community is to be mothers and caretakers, “being pregnant or nursing all the time is depressing, too.”

Dr Phil: Amish Women Are Birthing Animals?

Dena has compared Amish women to “birthing animals,” and Levi took offense to her comments. Apparently they come from different areas, and Levi did not feel that her comments represented the women he knows. But Dena was speaking for herself about her own experience, and it’s great that she got to have a voice, since it sounds like this is rare for someone in her position.

Physical and intimate abuse of children is rampant in the Amish community, according to Dena. Even Levi agreed that this is a regular occurrence. Dena said female victims are told to keep quiet, and women are asked what they did to provoke such an attack.

Dr Phil: Abuse of Amish Women

“The guy maybe gets shunned for a couple weeks, and then he’s supposed to have repented, so they take him back in the church and forgive him and move on. And that has to stop. I believe the law needs to step in,” Dena said.

I guess it’s nice that everyone was able to agree that this ongoing, chronic culture of abuse is wrong. Maybe they could agree on some of their other differences. But if they did, there probably wouldn’t be much of a reality show left over. Will you be reading more about this world in Levi’s book, Amish Confidential? Tell me your thoughts about the reality show and this conversation.