An Age Limit on Trick-or-Treating: An Appalling New Law Sweeping Across the US

Trick-or-treating began in medieval times, when people went around begging for treats in exchange for praying for the dead of the household, others also engaged in tricks, which often included vandalism or other undesired activities. Later on, in the 19th and 20th centuries, Halloween and trick-or-treating became less about vandalism, and prayer, and more about spending quality time with friends, and politely traveling in costume door to door asking for a variety of things,  including toothpaste, candy, baked goods, drinks, etc. Those who trick in modern times are subject to penalties.
Since medieval times, Halloween, formerly Dia Delos Muertos has been a holiday freely celebrated by a wide variety of people- That's beginning to change though,
Several US cities have passed an ordinance placing an age limit on trick-or-treaters. The limit is usually around 12, prohibiting any person 13 or older from participating in the holiday spirit. Some cities have the limit at when a person enters middle school or high school. Bellville, Illinois has it set at 12 as of 2008 after the proposal by mayor Mark Eckhart after unnecessary complaints by senior citizens and single mothers, driven by the fact that his own father prohibited him from trick-or-treating past middle school.
 Other cities include Richmond, VA, Meridian, Miss., Bishopville, SC, and Boonsboro, MD. Police are cracking down hard every year, and any teens or adults caught in the act can face penalties ranging from a simple warning, a fine from $100 to $1000, or even several months of jail time. Other cities that do not place complete ban on teen trick-or-treating have certain regulations set on costume attire. Dublin, Georgia prohibits the wearing of identity-concealing masks, hoods, sunglasses, makeup, or any other identity concealing apparel by any person 16 and over.

Here are some reasons why these laws are ineffective and an utter violation of human rights:

• It robs many people of the right to engage in traditional celebrations as they please:

 People of all types should have the freedom to celebrate any holiday as they wish, especially if it poses no harm to anybody. This should not be restricted by age, and city officials should simply mind their own business when it comes to such matters and worry about more important issues.

• It will be detrimental to costume businesses in such cities:

Many small businesses will lose tons of loyal customers. Many businesses that paid good money to buy larger sized costumes wholesale, or spent their valuable time hand making them will have wasted money, and customers will be primarily limited to children 12 and under. Plus, large costumes require more material and more money, so stores will be stuck selling cheap, small costumes. Stores will also be limited on the sorts of costumes sold, since some are more popular among the younger crowd than others. This is especially detrimental to costume businesses that do not operate year-round and use Halloween as their time for profit gains.

• Seniors, and others frightened by large people in costumes can shut their doors and turn their porch lights out:

If people do not wish to hand out candy, they can make that clear by posting signs on their door, turning their porch lights out, and leaving their door locked. Those frightened by teens and adults in costumes should not be surprised if one shows up while they are handing out treats.

• Cops make many mistakes when attempting to distinguish those over 12 and those under 12:

Since people come in many different sizes, cops are bound to make mistakes. Many children who hit puberty at an early age, or are simply taller, or more mature than their peers will be subject to unwanted questioning. Parents, older siblings and other relatives supervising their children or younger sibling while trick-or-treating will be unfairly interrogated as well. Also, many teens and young adults can appear to be under 12 with a short stature, and a large, bulky costume, and will often go unquestioned by police, making the law ineffective in the first place.

• Teens and adults will just trick-or-treat anyway:

Many teens and adults will just ignore the law and trick-or-treat anyway. They will find ways to appear younger than they are and bypass police questioning.

• Teens and adults were doing no wrong in the first place:

Many teens and adults who trick-or-treat are simply roaming the streets in a harmless and polite fashion and are being unfairly punished for something that should not even be considered a crime. They are being punished simply for celebrating a holiday and expressing their creativity.

• If adults can drink alcohol, vote, die for their nation, enter a legally binding contract, purchase pornography, purchase cigarettes, and if teens can drive, pay taxes, work, and be tried as an adult in court, then why can't they trick-or-treat?

If adults and  are seen so responsible by the government, if they are given lots of civil freedom, then why are they unable to celebrate a holiday as they please? If teens are subject to some adult responsibilities, and they are already seen as troublemakers by the law, why not give them a break? If all other major civil responsibilities are granted and expected then why is the simple act of asking for candy a crime? Many adults and teens lead stressful lives, playing their role as a mature US citizen and should have the right to let some of the steam off.


Don't you think everyone can enjoy the Halloween spirit?