Do you think it's right to keep teenagers from trick-or-treating on Halloween?

32 Comments

  • Carynne - 13 years ago

    It is nice to see that our legislators can get together and place a ban on trick or treating for children, but can't seem to pass any other types of legislation to help out families. I did not realize that our representatives could do this, when did Halloween become a state or national holiday. Who will they ban next Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. I don't care who comes to trick or treat, I give out candy to everyone even adults, last year I had so much left over candy that I was looking for people to hand out candy. Let them have fun, teenagers are under a lot of pressure and it is nice for them to have something to do with their siblings and family on Halloween. Some people get caught up on silly stuff. If this area wants to ban kids over the age 12 then they should have something for them to do on this day. Plus how would a person know if the child is 12 years or older, a lot of children don't look their age and it would be rude for people to say you look too old or big for candy, now go away. Great way to hurt children Belleville, Illinois. I know not to visit this area or shop there.

  • Susan - 13 years ago

    I think that Halloween is for the little ones, the ones that fully understand what they are doing, for themselves and for the people who take the time to answer their doors and pass out candies and goodies. I have a great time giving out large candy bars to the really good kids. And I agree that we do not hear any response from the majority of the kids who come "begging" at our door. In those cases, it's easy to say "Pardon, I didn't hear anything.' Usually you get the shy "Thank you".

    I will continue to give out goodies until approximately 1/2 hr. after dark. Then the front light goes out, I will answer the door, and if it is a young child accompanied by an adult or older sibling, I'll hand out, but if it is an older teen or a group of teens, I ask for a reason that they are ringing my doorbell. If polite, I'll respond in kind, If not, I also respond in kind.

    Lisa, of course if a sibling is taking a younger child trick or treating, they should also receive a treat, as you said, it's only "fare" (I think you meant "fair".)

    Samantha, if the "kids" are forgetting to say thank you for a ten cent piece of candy, then they were not taught very well. They would rather go trick or treating than go to a party where there will be underage drinking and drunk party goers on the road. What kind of parties have these kids been going to? And yes, there is mugging in places other than TV.

    In otherwords, if you are a young, polite person, whether you are 10 or 20, go - have fun. But if being rude and nasty to the person opening the door or the little ones who truly love to trick or treat, Go home. I'm sure the parents that neglected to teach you manners can come up with something else you can do.

  • Bridget Lee Streett - 13 years ago

    What about those of us who are well beyond our "TEENS"?
    Hallowe'en is, and always been my favourite Holiday!

  • Diane - 13 years ago

    If the teens are well behaved, I don't see a problem with it. You never know what someone is going through. Sometimes you hear of children who are abused or kept in the basement or in cages etc, so you just don't know what a child's been through. If they finally get a chance to trick-or-treat, let them. They know when they're too old. If they're going out on Halloween, it's ok, perhaps they need a little fun. And if it happens that a few who don't have problems or are just too old get candy, it's ok. So maybe you give out a few extra pieces of candy... it won't kill you. I see many people with young kids who have their children trick-or-treat and yet they never buy candy or turn on their porch light.. and you know they can afford it. There are always a few who ruin things for others. I don't want to be one of those few. Come on Belleville, Ill, be compassionate, give a few teens a piece of candy.

  • Aubrey - 13 years ago

    I myself am 15, I absolutely love Halloween, it's my avorite holiday. I am usually the one who takes my younger sister, ( 6) around the neighborhood to trick or treat. I'm not orced to do this, I actually offer to! I love to see how happy the little kids get when they get that big 25 cent lollipop and think its the most greatest thing in the whole widest world. It's a great holiday and I personally still dress up every year and go trick - or - treating to. I love dressing up and I try to be very creative each year! This year I am the princess Bell from Beauty and the Beast and I have a great costume!

  • jm - 13 years ago

    As long as the teens are behaving and aren't out egging houses whats the problem! I would much rather have them getting candy at my door than at a party where no one is paying attention to them.

  • ellie - 13 years ago

    I will never forget the hurt my son experienced the last time he went trick or treating. He created a neat costume all on his own and set out for the few houses on our court.
    On his 2nd stop, a neighbor opened the door, told my son he was too big for trick or treating, and slammed the door shut. My big-for-his-age 11-year-old was crushed. He never had the heart to participate again. Leave it up to the parents. Turn your light off if you don't want to take part. But whatever you do, don't be rude!

  • tjames - 13 years ago

    I think that there should not be an age limit. My teens love to trick-or-treat. Now, they help with their little cousins and their friends even like to come. As the parents, we actually go with them and everyone feels safe. We go to the same neighborhood where I grew up and they look forward to it.

  • Brenda Pressler - 13 years ago

    Kids are growing up faster than ever these days. Let's allow them to "be a kid" with trick-or-treating as long as they still enjoy it and are not causing any trouble.

  • Kathleen - 13 years ago

    Twelve seems awfully young to cut off - what are tweens supposed to do? Maybe encouraging the older kids to take younger neighbors around and keep an eye on them would be good. When my kids got into high school, they loved to dress up and go around with friends, but they changed over to trick or treating for the school's canned food drive (one of the largest canned food drives in the country). After the first year, they decided to put small flyers in the newspaper boxes to let folks know that's what they were doing and got a better response.

    I do keep multiple candy bowls near the door, if kids come by with no costume, they get a small snack size bar and little kids or older kids with great costumes got a treat bag. Toddlers got small stuffed animals.

    If it stops being fun, go out for dinner during the trick or treat hours and avoid it. A friend does this since they no longer have little kids in the neighborhood and she gives the treat money to a local shelter. She also gives out candy to all the college students who come to the office that whole week.

  • Chantell - 13 years ago

    This is just plain ridiculous, I agree that some teens are disrespectful, but to ban all teens from trick or treating is insane!!!!Thats like saying "I got beat up by a black person now I hate the whole race", sounds ignorant doesnt it? I dont understand why anyone would say your too old to trick or treat, if you dont want to give candy to the rude people or the ones that arent dressed up thats understandable, but to put an age limit on having fun and eating candy just seems absurd to me! Im 22 years old and I will continue to trick or treat as long as I eat candy which will most likely be when I die! Also to the person who wrote about the adult party, thats a great idea, a bunch of drunks partying, and probably driving home , sounds alot better than dressing up and asking people for candy! Happy Halloween and whoever you are, no matter what your age if you want to trick or treat DO NOT let someone tell you that your too old. Go have fun, be safe, brush your teeth when your done and dont forget to say thank you!

  • Karen in KC - 13 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with dressing up and going trick or treating (especially if they have younger children they are taking). It's innocent fun. So many parents (and society) want their kids to grow up way too fast. I've raised 3 great kids (no longer kids at 17, 20, 26) and enjoy 3 grandkids. They were, and are, allowed to be kids. I'll never forget the day my 6 year old daughter was teased in our neighborhood by a boy her own age because she was taking her baby doll for a walk in a stroller. She was so sad. That didn't come from him. That comes from the parents. As a teacher I also saw parents tease their own little kids about having boyfriends and girlfriends, rather than encouraging them to make lots of friends...boys and girls. We put random age limitations on activities because we assume kids wouldn't be interested in them and in many cases that's not true. Children should be allowed to use their imaginations, have fun, pretend, and enjoy the little things in life.

  • Karen in KC - 13 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with dressing up and going trick or treating (especially if they have younger children they are taking). It's innocent fun. So many parents (and society) want their kids to grow up way too fast. I've raised 3 great kids (no longer kids at 17, 20, 26) and enjoy 3 grandkids. They were, and are, allowed to be kids. I'll never forget the day my 6 year old daughter was teased in our neighborhood by a boy her own age because she was taking her baby doll for a walk in a stroller. She was so sad. That didn't come from him. That comes from the parents. As a teacher I also saw parents tease their own little kids about having boyfriends and girlfriends, rather than encouraging them to make lots of friends...boys and girls. We put random age limitations on activities because we assume kids wouldn't be interested in them and in many cases that's not true. Children should be allowed to use their imaginations, have fun, pretend, and enjoy the little things in life.

  • Karen Harris - 13 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with dressing up and going trick or treating (especially if they have younger children they are taking). It's innocent fun. So many parents (and society) want their kids to grow up way too fast. I've raised 3 great kids (no longer kids at 17, 20, 26) and enjoy 3 grandkids. They were, and are, allowed to be kids. I'll never forget the day my 6 year old daughter was teased in our neighborhood by a boy her own age because she was taking her baby doll for a walk in a stroller. She was so sad. That didn't come from him. That comes from the parents. As a teacher I also saw parents tease their own little kids about having boyfriends and girlfriends, rather than encouraging them to make lots of friends...boys and girls. We put random age limitations on activities because we assume kids wouldn't be interested in them and in many cases that's not true. Children should be allowed to use their imaginations, have fun, pretend, and enjoy the little things in life.

  • Samantha - 13 years ago

    Honestly, living in southern california, there are a lot of teenagers who at the age of 15-18 are allowed to go to parties and drink alcohol on halloween. I have a sister who is 17 and her and her group of friends go around halloween night trick or treating. Do you honestly believe that a group of junior highschool kids are going to go around stealing childrens' candy? No. If you do, you watch too much TV. Lets be serious. I would much rather have kids their age going trick or treating rather than to parties where there will be alcohol and underaged drinking, not to mention the drunk party go-ers on the road. So maybe they forget to say thank you or are too into their night to acknowledge the fact that you spent ten cents on a piece of candy for them, but lets be real. Its halloween. If you dont like the kids that come around, close your door. This is America, do you people honestly believe there should be an "age limit" on trick or treating? No.

  • Elizabeth Parks - 13 years ago

    Teens can dress up and do their thing on their propery or the property of a friend they are visiting. But, they should not be going from house to house unless they are excorting younger kids. They should be allowed to dress up for that, too. But, they should not be allowed to go up to the door or mess with other kids.

  • Dianne - 13 years ago

    I have seen teenagers(age 15+) push and shove the smaller kids just to be the first one at someone's home.Some of the smaller kids actually have fallen down and the teenagers just laugh at them.I actually have seen 18 year olds trick-or treating.This is ridiculous.These 18 year olds are considered adults.Yes I think trick-or treating should be for younger children(10 and under).But then this is my opinion.

  • carolyn - 13 years ago

    I think a lot of the decision has to do with how big a city you live in. In smaller towns I don't think the teens are quite as rough as bigger cities. My kids did not go trick or treating after age 12 and they pretty much did not want to. There was usually a parent sponsoring a party for the older kids and if not we sponsored one so our kids still had fun. When I let my children try to go alone as they got older we had, freezing cold water poured on them, a lit cigarette dropped in their candy bucket, their candy stolen,etc. so we always insisted at least walking behind a bit to keep an eye on things. I live in Phoenix, Az. About 3 years ago we had a little boy in the neighborhood who was attacked from a car and drug down the street because he wouldn't let go of his candy bag. No broken bones but a broken heart and he was pretty banged up. 2 years ago we had someone come and steal all our Halloween decorations which we have spent years collecting because we are big horror fans. We had the best yard on the block. It really takes the fun out of things when you have to put up with this kind of stuff!!!

  • Renee - 13 years ago

    "Teenager" covers a broad range. The dividing line is this- if you are legally old enough to work then you are too old to trick-or-treat.

  • Betsy S - 13 years ago

    a lot of teens these days are into sex, drugs,booze, bullying and lots of other questionable behaviors why should they be rewarded with candy?

  • MJ - 13 years ago

    When my daughter was 12 I told her to look around and notice how young most of our trick or treaters were. We then discussed if she could no longer trick or treat what to do? "What about a party," she asked? We decided to invite the kids with whom we once trick or treated to this party. The kids had something to dress for and celebrate. It was a win win all around.

  • Christine - 13 years ago

    I do think that teenagers are to old to trick or treat. Because, when I was young I went trick or treating with my older sister & her friends. Back then pretty much anyone could go! A 18 year old male stole my trick or treating bag. It was full!! We were out for a long time. He snatched it from my hands and took off, in doing so he sprung my wrist. He was dressed up in a mask and everything. Of course I was upset. But, no one could do anything! Could not positively identify him...I only knew of the person that did it through the "grape vine at school". Still... till this day not really sure if it was the person that people were saying that did it. So, for all of the younger kids safety I would have to honestly so NO!! :-(

  • kelly - 13 years ago

    I use to work in gas stations and hotels and Halloween was always the worse time of the year for me when it came to working. I can't tell you how many times I've been confronted with teenages with masks, either trying to steal something or rob me.

    If they could guarantee that things like that wouldn't happen then I say let everyone trick or treat.

    Kelly

  • Gretchen - 13 years ago

    I'm sorry but when pre-teen and teens come to the door, usually not dressed up, it's just not cute! In fact, it's quite irritating. But I have never been a fan of Halloween in the first place. And for those that are taking their younger siblings around, their parents should be the ones to reward them. Instead of allowing these teens to go door to door, why not get a group together and share the cost and maybe have a halloween party for them, similar to a block party. Ask for candy and treat donations to give out at the party from parents of teens.

  • LISA RODIER - 13 years ago

    SOME OF THESE YOUNGER KIDS GET TAKEN AROUND BY THEIR OLDER SIBLINGS OR COUSINS. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE FARE IF THEY DID NOT GET ANY LOOT FOR MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE!

  • Charlotte - 13 years ago

    Maybe if we were better examples of humans, this ridiculous question would not be asked! Should any person, of any age, be stopped from joy and laughter?

    Raise your children well and without limits...

  • Karin - 13 years ago

    Teens should be banned. In our neighborhood, they are rude and obnoxious. I never get a thank you and they arrive not even bothering to dress up and stick a backpack under my nose, without a word! Last year I made my own rule and gave nobody over the age of 12 any candy whatsoever. One rude one came back with his friend to show him "the mean lady". Whatever. I love to see the little ones having fun, all dressed up, but I can do without the older crowd. Other parents supported me by the way and told the older boys to show some respect and leave the candy for the little ones. It is all about having fun but being confronted with these kind of teens make me want to stop handing out candy alltogether. They were positively threatening!

  • jenn - 13 years ago

    I don't mind the teenagers as long as they behave. I do mind the parents with a tiny infant, and a large sack of candy. I took my babies to visit family but not trick or treating around the whole neighborhood. I have to draw the line at adults, some well over 30 years old....they need to get a life. Perhaps they could splurge and throw an adult Halloween party instead!

  • Vicki - 13 years ago

    There should be an age limit. We enjoy seeing the youngsters in their little outfits and even tolerate the young 16-18 yr old mothers with their babies that obviously don't eat candy. But once it gets dark we don't like the larger groups of teens tha bombard you. The show up with their pants hanging below their butts, run through our bushes and have no respect for anyone or anything. Rarely do you even hear a thank you anymore. It's grab and run to the next place. Even when we turn our light off, they still come.

  • Janet - 13 years ago

    I think teens/adults should be allowed to trick or treat. I challenge my trick or treaters. If they can't do a trick for me...No treats! they love and look forward to coming to my house year after year. The parents of the little ones stand outside, some come in also. Year after year. Sometimes I dress up too! It's a lot of fun for them and me. My brother always dressed with my neice and nephew. He always wore a costume that he had made from whatever and it always had a theme.

  • michelle - 13 years ago

    My birthday happens to be halloween and if I had my way I'd still do it (women of almost 38) I also think teenagers should be able to as long as they're not causing trouble. My sons are 6 years apart and so they've greatly enjoyed going together but if I were to have disallowed my teenager from going that wouldn't have been much fun for any of us

  • Jaimee - 13 years ago

    I used to think that teens should not be allowed to trick or treat until my 13 year old wanted to go. I told her no but many of my friends convinced me that as long as she is not picking on the younger kids, I should allow her to be a kid as long as possible. Before I know it, she will be an adult and will no longer get to be a kid. I agree!

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