The Black and White

by Kaia Patty

Throughout the world, families and friends gather to celebrate the spooky holiday: Halloween. While traditionally a Celtic holiday to recognize the end of summer harvest, it later became known as All Hallows Eve in the 8th century. This event would include many traditions that we often see today including, bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating, and dressing up in costumes. While costumes were used to ward off spirits, in modern day, they’re used as a way to express one’s individuality, creativity, and interests. For many years, Halloween was open to anyone to celebrate and take part in the joy, however, there has been debate over whether or not this should continue. Over the past few decades, there has been back and forth over whether or not older children, teenagers, and above should be allowed to participate in Halloween. Some cities/towns have gone as far as to charge people above the age of 14 with a misdemeanor for trick-or-treating, with other age limits being as young as eighth grade. 

As someone who loves dressing up, being with loved ones, and, of course, candy, these bans on trick-or-treating are appalling to me. The idea that kids are not being allowed to participate in activities that were directly created for them is confusing. It brings forth questions on why children aren’t allowed to be children? Or, if we’re referring to teenagers, why are we being pushed to forget our childhood? It saddens me to see a day that’s supposed to be so joyful be looked down upon or even taken away for so many people. 

Throughout life, Halloween is utilized in different ways. As a young child, it’s a way to receive candy and create core memories. As a kid and early teen, it’s a way to form bonds and find your interests. As a teenager or young adult, it’s a way to exercise your newfound independence and further express your creativity. This holiday, I would argue, is a great tool in practicing self-expression, forming your friendships and identity, and strengthening your creativity. Teenagers shouldn’t be banned from these vital skills in such a primal learning period. These prohibitions are unfair to the kids and teens who want to express themselves, to dress up, and to remember their childhood on such a special night. We should hope that our community can continue to find constructive, creative outlets to channel their time into.

by Jace Mazzucco

People often say that Halloween is for children, they oppose costumes, celebrating, and especially trick or treating when it comes to teenagers. 

These ideas are foolish & unfair, I say this because trick or treating is one of the only activities teenagers can participate in other than going to parties or getting into trouble on Halloween. 

Teenagers are at school 5/7 days in the week for over 6+ hours a day & there are no places to hang out after school in the modern day, making Halloween a special night where there is a guaranteed activity that can be fun, safe, and create great memories. Taking away the ability for them to have fun and hangout outside for the night just brings up the chances of trouble occurring on Halloween.  

As long as we are being polite, respectful, and have a real costume then I see no problem with teens going out and having fun for one night of the year. Many people will say that the activity is childish and there is no reason why people who are almost adults need to be out searching for free candy, but I argue that at our age, there are so many limits to things that we used to be able to do and this is one of the only childhood activities we can still easily and safely partake in. 

As we grow older life gets more serious, we lose more childhood opportunities, and we are more than ever treated like adults. If we want to go out for a night in a safe, polite manner, there is no harm. 

Adults need to understand that they were once teenagers as well, when they think back to that period of time would it have been safer for them to be out & partying on Halloween or would it have been better to be safe in their neighborhood simply just trick or treating…I would bet almost every adult would say Trick or Treating opposed to the the first option!

So, if teenagers are supposed to act like adults in the case of trick or treating then why aren’t we allowed to be adults 24/7, with no policing from adults, That’s because we are in-fact still children! Let us go out, let us trick or treat, and let us have FUN on Halloween!