Should There be an Age Limit to Trick or Treating?

Growing up, Halloween was that one time of the year that parents would allow their kids to knock on strangers’ doors and ask for candy.

When it comes to trick or treating, only kids are expected to go around the neighborhood to trick or treat.

The minute a teenager hits puberty and enters the middle school, it feels as if it is not cute anymore to be dressing up, walking around the neighborhood and asking for candy.

So should there be an age limit to trick or treating?

Trick or treating is a fun activity that just about every kid in the United States has done once in their life.

Unlike other holidays like Christmas, where everyone still gets gifts, Halloween seems to strip these teenagers of the fun and onto the next generation of younger kids.

According to a survey, a 2016 Today News story by Terri Peters, “73 percent of those surveyed agree that somewhere between the ages of 12 and 17, kids should call it quits.”

Jasmine Buenavista, a Fresno City College nursing major agrees. “I feel like it is a bit odd seeing an older person asking for candy, but I still give it to them.  I feel like if you are going around the neighborhood as a college student, then you are pushing it.”

Another TODAY News article by Chloe Aiello, cites a law in New Brunswick, Canada which will fine teenagers 16 and older $200 if they are out past 8 p.m.

“The law,” Aiello wrote, “passed in response to a spate of Halloween mischief.”

Maybe the world is not ready or comfortable with those that are 12 and older, going around the neighborhood asking for candy in fear that they could be of harm to the children near them or their home.

Ashley Darcey, mother of two, said she feels a little uneasy with teenagers and adults trick or treating.

“I am not sure if they are little kids that are just really tall, or actual older teenagers, but it is just weird handing out candy to them,” Darcey said. “I won’t say anything to them, but it is just weird.”

Candy is something that everyone, young or old, enjoys, its just that the older the person gets with this holiday, the more it is expected to hand out candy, hang out with friends, or even go to parties.

“I like to say that I am trick or treating to my parents, but I just like to walk around with my friends,” Bryan Amaya, 13, said.

Amaya likes to dress up and be able to have fun with his friends even if they don’t trick or treat.

“I just like being out of the house,” Amaya said.

That could be why parents and older adults are not used to seeing older teenagers going around the neighborhood asking for candy.

It is the only time of the year that they are able to dress up and ask for candy and their parents are OK with it.

There are still many things to do like pumpkin carving or apple bobbing that older teens can enjoy on this spooky holiday.