Halloween Age “Restrictions” and Why They Need to Stop

Many people celebrate Halloween, whether they’re 8, 16, 21, or even 40 years old. The problem is that in many places there is age laws for Trick-or-Treating, which means kids of a certain age aren’t allowed to participate in Trick-or-Treating. With this happening kids or teenagers aren’t allowed to have fun when they should be able to.

Trick-or-Treating age restrictions is one of the biggest issues that contribute to this problem. When a kid younger than 13 wants to go Trick-or-Treating, it’s totally fine because it’s what kids do. However, when a person older than 16 and wants to go Trick-or-Treating, they seem as immature or childish. The concept of Trick-or-Treating is to dress up as something or someone and go around and collect candy from house to house. It shouldn’t have a specific age you should and shouldn’t go Trick-or-Treating, as the goal is to just have fun and eat candy.

According to a WTKR article I found, there is a law in Chesapeake, Virginia which prohibits anyone over the age of 12 from engaging in Trick-or-Treating. If they do participate. They can be treated with a misdemeanor and a fine of $25-$100 or either be held in jail for six consecutive months. Holding people in jail or fining them for having fun is absolutely insane. People over the age of 12 should never be in jail for having fun. All they’re doing is collecting candy not committing an actual crime.

People over the age of 12 shouldn’t feel restricted to go Trick-or-Treating, as they are already being restricted most of their teenage years. Trick-or-Treating is supposed to be fun for everyone, no matter their age. TIME magazine says “Most teenagers stop dressing up and trick-or-treating somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16.” Just because the majority of teenagers stop Trick-or-Treating or dressing up for Halloween, doesn’t mean that all of them decide not to participate. As there are still many teenagers who enjoy going door to door asking for candy and dressing up.

Adults shouldn’t restrict teenagers from Trick-or-Treating or shame them because it’s “childish.” Adults should instead let them go out and have fun instead of keeping them inside because of how they view something. If teenagers want to go Trick-or-Treating they should be allowed.