By Isabel Berry and Sarah Meklir
Staff Writers
It’s the season of Halloween! Before the highly-anticipated holiday comes to pass, some ground rules need to be set. Namely, how old is too old to go trick-or-treating? Should kids stop after elementary school, middle school, high school, or can they continue through college? After they have turned thirty? What is the standard? Should these older trick-or-treaters even be permitted to venture out in search of free candy, when they are old enough to buy it for themselves? Hammond students had strong opinions on the subject.
Photo Credit: History of Halloween
After surveying the student body, it seemed as though the popular opinion was that trick-or-treating should be allowed for high schoolers across the board. Some even believed college students were entitled to trick-or-treat, as long as they go with their friends. Out of the high schoolers interviewed, ¾ are going trick-or-treating tomorrow night. When asked about trick-or-treating, senior Victoria Kerry said, “I went last year, but I’m not going this year. I feel like, once you are a full-on adult, there should be no more trick or treating. Eighteen is fine, I think.”
Senior Karina Joseph had a different opinion. When asked whether she still went trick-or-treating, she responded, “Absolutely not. Once you’re in your sophomore year of high school, you’re kind of done. It’s a little weird to go trick-or-treating when you’re a junior and learning how to drive. You’re almost an adult, by then you’re just taking candy from little kids.”
The range of opinions on this subject begs the question, what ages are definitely too old?
It seems most people believe that continuing into your thirties is too old and that quitting in middle school is too young. According to Senior Katherine Lopez, “I’d say once you start having kids yourself, then I think that’s a little too old.” But, when asked about whether or not there should be a national standard for the age to stop trick-or-treating, Junior Isabel Sinnott stated, “I don’t think there necessarily needs to be a set limit.” So, high school is about the right age to stop trick-or-treating in the eyes of most.
In our opinion, trick-or-treating as a freshman or sophomore is alright, but trick-or-treating as a junior or senior is a little much. After middle school, the wonders of Halloween seem to die down. A few students suggested that by the later years of high school people should start going to parties instead of going trick-or-treating. Most students believed this was an appropriate solution. This way, teens can still get candy, but do not have to go to people’s houses to get it. Also, they get a chance to watch scary movies, wear costumes, and hang out with their friends, while avoiding strange looks from people who give out candy at their houses on Halloween.
Overall, in these reporter’s opinions, eighteen and over is too old for trick-or-treating. Once people reach that age where they can buy multiple bags of candy for themselves if they wanted to, it seems a bit ridiculous to continue going to people’s houses to get it for free. In the end, that candy is getting taken away from younger children who just want to have a good Halloween. So, at eighteen, people should be able to move on from trick-or-treating.
hhsbearpress.com 