By Ezra Caber

Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and carefree fun. However, for many teenagers, it comes with an unexpected dilemma: are we too old to trick or treat? Although the holiday is often associated with children, there’s no reason teens should feel ashamed for wanting to enjoy one of the most fun aspects of Halloween. After all, the joy of dressing up and collecting candy doesn’t have an expiration date. 

On Halloween night, it’s no surprise to see kids under the age of 12 trick-or-treating. But what happens if you see someone the age of 17 trick-or-treating? Should they feel embarrassed asking the same door for candy as the five-year old next to them? 

Some think it’s odd or immature for teenagers to go door to door asking for candy, but this narrow view overlooks why many teens are drawn to the tradition. Halloween is a celebration of fun and community.

In this day and age, teenagers are usually excited about growing up and having more freedom once they reach the legal age. They are encouraged to grow up quickly in fact, especially with the pressures of high school. Before they enter adulthood, however, many teens would like to take advantage of the opportunity to relive childhood memories. Trick or treating provides exactly that nostalgia.

According to a survey conducted by The Today Show, 46 percent of adults believe that no one is too old for trick or treating. However, 18 percent of adults surveyed believe that high schoolers should have stopped trick or treating by that age. The belief can lead to a stigma that makes teens feel self-conscious or unwelcome in a tradition they may still enjoy.

In some places, the debate over the appropriate age for trick-or-treating has spread to local laws. Cities like Chesapeake, Virginia have made it illegal for people over 14 to trick-or-treat. Similarly, New Brunswick, Canada, banned trick-or-treating for those over 16. These regulations reflect the fear that older kids might engage in inappropriate or dangerous behavior, but they also unfairly generalize all teenagers, including those who may only want to have harmless fun.

The act of dressing up and innocently asking for candy can actually be beneficial for teens by helping ease the pressures of becoming an adult. Teens face so much stress whether it is from homework, job searches, college applications, or other responsibilities. Allowing them one night to let loose can be a healthy way to relieve that stress.

Celebrating Halloween shouldn’t exclusively be catered toward younger children but to teenagers as well. Teens enjoy the nostalgia involved in the activity and as they reach adulthood, they will have fond memories of trick-or-treating for years to come. Instead of stigmatizing teens for wanting to trick-or-treat, we should encourage them to enjoy the holiday as it is a fleeting opportunity to be playful before becoming an adult.