I know it's been a while, but think back to October 31st, back when you'd get all excited to dress up as kid and go get some candy from strangers.
It was the only acceptable time to do so, and free candy was your delight and your parents' horror. You'd spend a good month planning your costume. You'd either be that super cool cheerleader, or a scary witch, or go with a group as a theme.
It was exciting and magical and everything was great.
Until you grew up a little. You're in middle school or high school, and suddenly you're too old to go trick or treating. Neighbors angrily slammed doors in your face or made comments about your age.
"This is a night for children!"
But...why?
In a world where things are cut off from you the older you get, life can become dreary. Between work, school, caring for your house and kids, life sometimes can lose that "fun" aspect it had to it when you were a kid.
So why are we, as a society, turning teenagers who want to preserve that magic for just a little bit longer?
Teenagers are beginning to learn who they are. They're dealing with increasing amounts of homework and time commitment. They're trying to make their transcripts the best they can be so colleges will accept them, so they pour themselves into their grades, work, and extracurriculars. That's a lot of pressure to put on someone who still has to raise their hand to go to the bathroom.
One night a year, teenagers get excited just like everyone else does, to get dressed in a costume and go out and do something fun.
Some will stay home with their friends and have a small get together, some will go out and try to trick or treat, despite the many doors in their faces. Many others will go to parties and drink, simply because the stigma of going trick or treating as a teen is so negative.
If teenagers were allowed to trick or treat without the judgement they face, that's less time spent downing alcohol at a party. Just because there's little kids running around with them does not suddenly make them mean, older kids out to make the smaller kids miserable.
These older kids simply want to dress up and get free candy. Adults want to dress up and get free candy. Anyone does. But teenagers are still kids. They deserve to go out and have a night of fun as well.
These kids will come up to your door dressed in a costume. They'll probably let the little kids get some candy first, compliment the kids on what they're wearing. Then they'll step up, say trick or treat, and grab some candy. Then they'll thank you and leave.
What's the harm in that? Why push these kids to grow up even quicker than they already have to?
Let the teenagers trick or treat. Let them have fun.
Because Halloween isn't just for the kids, it's for everyone.
