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by Paul Ciavardini

Created on: October 30, 2009

Second only to Christmas and birthdays, Halloween has always been my favorite event. More than the parties, costumes, and candy, the act of trick-or-treating, for me, is the highlight of the holiday. Till the age of 20, I have religiously filled my pillowcase with pounds of delicious tooth rotting sugar treats. At 16, I often got double takes from people when I shouted those three wonderful words, and by the time I reached adulthood, many people would ask my age, or even refuse to deliver the goods. Although generally people in my community found noting wrong with me and my two friends trick-or-treating, there are still people out there that frown at teenagers uttering "trick or treat" To respond I have come up with 3 reasons why there should not be a cut off age for trick or treating.

Reason 1: Tradition

One of the main reasons that people find older people trick or treating as deplorable is because they feel it is traditional for only children to trick-or-treat. What they do not understand is that the origins of Trick or treating don't just stem down to children going door to door for sweets. In fact, the modern day Halloween tradition of tick-or-treating traces back to medieval times. On Hallowmas, poor people would participate in the practice of "souling", where they would go door to door receiving food in exchange for prayers for the dead. The concept of going door to door for candy is not even 100 years old, if people really want a truly "traditional" trick-or treat, not only should adults be allowed to participate, people would need to start handing out food instead of candy. If anyone tells you it's traditional for only the children to trick-or-treat, ask them why they aren't handing out food, or offering prayers to the dead.

Reason 2: Assistance for younger children

I recall taking my younger sister trick-or-treating when I was 17. She was too young to go out on her own, so we went out together to gather sweets. It was a fun and rewarding experience to hold out a bag online side her, after screaming trick or treat. If there were a cut off age for tick or treating (particularly one at 14 or younger) there would be a lot of younger siblings without responsible companions. Although it is ideal for parents to go with younger children, many are busy and cannot assist. If teenagers are not allowed to fill their bags, there is less incentive for them to assist younger trick-or-treaters, and it is very important to be with someone responsible on Halloween.

Reason 3: Improper diagnosis of the problem.

Many people really have it out for teenagers on Halloween. Although it is true that many smashed pumpkins, strewn out toilet paper, and rotting eggs are the result of them wreaking havoc. It's important to note, that these crimes are committed by a select few, creating a stereotype for many. Trick-or-treating is a simple non-destructive activity; it's destructive illegal activity that is the problem. If there was a cut off on trick-or-treating, it would not do anything against the destructive pranks and behavior a select few exhibit. It is unfair to let a bad stereotype ruin it for everyone. A cut off on trick or treating is the wrong way to approach the issue. Underage drinking and reckless parties are a far more likely cause for these problems than the act of "trick-or-treating". It would be much more effective to confront these issues directly, rather that using tick-or-treating as a scapegoat.

I am now 22, and although I don't plan on filling a pillowcase this year, I still intend to go trick-or-treating for a few houses. Your only as old as you feel, you can never have too many years that you can't enjoy participating in the traditional festivities of your youth. For me, it just doesn't feel like Halloween if I don't chant those three wonderful words.

"Trick or treat!"

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