As the highly anticipated Oct. 31 approaches, it’s time for many to start thinking about their costumes and Halloween plans. Are they going out or staying in? Are they watching movies or partying? Are they trick-or-treating?
The idea of young adults trick-or-treating can be highly controversial. Many people disagree on whether or not they should be allowed to participate in the classic holiday tradition. However, there are no written rules or regulations for the holiday. Young adults should be allowed to trick-or-treat.
It’s fun
Trick-or-treating is a wholesome activity for people of all ages to enjoy. It comes as a safe alternative to the other dangerous activities young adults can get up to on Halloween night — like excessive substance use. Older teens should be allowed to let loose and have fun on Halloween. It should not have an age limit. The transition between childhood and adulthood is an intimidating one, and if young adults can hold onto their childhood awhile longer, they should be able to.
19-year-old Bailey Young says trick-or-treating is not just for kids. “Fun doesn’t stop when you turn 18. You should be able to do fun things without putting an age limit on it.”
It’s harmless
Young is not the only one who believes this. Colleen McCabe, 32, is always ready with candy. She believes everyone should be allowed to go trick-or-treating if they please.
“If someone comes to my house and asks for candy on Halloween, they’re getting candy,” she says. “Especially if they’re in costume. Some of the older teens have the funniest costumes, and those are my favourites.”
The Halloween lover doesn’t want anyone to be dissuaded. “The only way to challenge social norms is to challenge them. And for something as harmless as trick-or-treating in your twenties or older — guys, just go enjoy yourselves,” says McCabe.
A young trick-or-treater’s perspective
Yet sometimes the fun of young adults takes away from others. Kolby MacBride, for instance, believes trick-or-treating should be left to the kids.
MacBride, 12, says, “I think 17 and older is too old to go trick or treating.”
He isn’t afraid of candy being taken, however. His real issue lies with those who take the “trick” too far. “Teenagers that dress up scary and scare kids,” he says, “take the fun out of trick-or-treating.”
MacBride does not seem opposed to young adults trick-or-treating, just the teenagers that intentionally scare kids. If everyone is respectful and safe on Halloween, then there is no reason that young adults should be prohibited from going out.
Restrictions
Some have taken a firm stance on trick-or-treating. According to Global News, the city of Bathurst, New Brunswick imposed an age restriction and curfew for all of its residents. Their new bylaw bans anyone over the age of 16 from trick-or-treating, imposing a curfew of 8 p.m. If anyone is caught above the age restriction or after curfew, there is a fine up to $200.
In regard to age limits and restrictions, 19-year-old Michael Sharpe says, “there shouldn’t be. However, if someone is handing out candy and they see a young adult trick-or-treating and choose to not give them some because they want more for the kids, that makes sense. The government should not be able to regulate the age though.”
In Nova Scotia, there is no age limit to trick-or-treating. The rules of Halloween celebrations are unwritten, but it is up to personal preference whether you choose to go out or not and if you choose to give candy to individuals above a certain age. If there are no written restrictions for the holiday then the discussion of whether young adults should be allowed to trick-or-treat should be off the table.
Let yourself have fun
Young adults trick-or-treating should not be frowned upon. The holiday is open to anyone to celebrate and no one should be turned away. Fun should not have an age limit.
To the young adults who are hesitant about trick-or-treating, don’t worry about what others will think of you. Spend your Halloween night the way you want to! Bailey Young says it best: “Don’t let the world decide when you stop being a kid
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