Too Old to Trick or Treat?

[chanel]

Teenagers who trick-or-treat in some cities could face something more threatening than any costumed zombie or ghost — like the long arm of the law.

Some cities across the country have adopted age limits — usually around 12 — for those who can travel door-to-door for candy and other Halloween fare. But while teen violators could face jail or fines up to $100, such laws are rarely strictly enforced.

Take Mayor Mark Eckert of Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. He led a push in 2008 to ban trick or treating by high school-aged teens in that community of about 35,000 people.

His reasoning? He said he heard from too many single mothers and senior citizens complaining they were frightened by "6-foot-tall kids" showing up at their homes in search of candy.

"When I was a kid my father said to me, 'You're too damn big to be going trick-or-treating. You're done," Eckert said. "When that doesn't happen, then that's reason for the city governments to intervene."

Some Spooked Cities Ban Teenage Trick-or-Treating - ABC News

Good idea?

 

[Middleman]

Teenagers who trick-or-treat in some cities could face something more threatening than any costumed zombie or ghost — like the long arm of the law.

Some cities across the country have adopted age limits — usually around 12 — for those who can travel door-to-door for candy and other Halloween fare. But while teen violators could face jail or fines up to $100, such laws are rarely strictly enforced.

Take Mayor Mark Eckert of Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. He led a push in 2008 to ban trick or treating by high school-aged teens in that community of about 35,000 people.

His reasoning? He said he heard from too many single mothers and senior citizens complaining they were frightened by "6-foot-tall kids" showing up at their homes in search of candy.

"When I was a kid my father said to me, 'You're too damn big to be going trick-or-treating. You're done," Eckert said. "When that doesn't happen, then that's reason for the city governments to intervene."

Some Spooked Cities Ban Teenage Trick-or-Treating - ABC News

Good idea?

I think all the teenagers in town ought to TP his house.

 

[chanel]

Our town has a ban on egg selling the week before Halloween. Over 18 only.

I don't like seeing older teens out begging for candy. It's just another sign of arrested development in my opinion. Grow the hell up. There are certain rites of passage into adulthood and I don't see us promoting that much these days. Santa Claus and the Great Pumpkin are for children.

We've had a few parents dressed up with bags in hand, accompanying their children. No pride I guess.

 

[Mr. H.]

T & T is scheduled for Saturday night, and living close to the college campus I'll have a .38 in my back pocket when I answer the door. Don't get me wrong- I love the tradition and treating the kids but there's been some crazy shit going on around town.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Put a sign on your lawn that reads:
"Kids Only, No Teens or Adults Please".

Or something similar.

 

[Madeline]

I just can't see trick-or-treating surviving as a custom much longer. Too fraught with danger for everyone involved. Help set up a fun Halloween party for little ones (or a scarey one for teens) and forget going door to door.

 

[Mr. H.]

As a kid, there was one house in particular that everyone loved because the guy would tape coins to the bottom of candy bars. Maybe a nickle or dime, but if you were lucky you'd get a quarter.
Don't forget how fun it was for you once upon a time. Make it fun for kids now.

 

[rightwinger]

I don't mind the teens if they are out having a good time and are respectful. The ones I hate are the ones who show up at your door without a costume and demand candy

 

[editec]

I don't know what's wrong with today's youth

Teens shouldn't be trick or treating. Have they no pride at all?

They ought to be out committing acts of pointless vandalism like we did.

 

[Middleman]

Our town has a ban on egg selling the week before Halloween. Over 18 only.

I don't like seeing older teens out begging for candy. It's just another sign of arrested development in my opinion. Grow the hell up. There are certain rites of passage into adulthood and I don't see us promoting that much these days. Santa Claus and the Great Pumpkin are for children.

We've had a few parents dressed up with bags in hand, accompanying their children. No pride I guess.

We felt too embarrassed to by about age 13 I remember. It was considered too babyish.

 

[Baruch Menachem]

If your voice has changed or if you need a bra, you are too old.

 

[Middleman]

I don't know what's wrong with today's youth

Teens shouldn't be trick or treating. Have they no pride at all?

They ought to be out committing acts of pointless vandalism like we did.

One of my sons just really enjoyed creating elaborate costumes all the way through high school. He was very creative with them and he and his friends enjoyed going around town. He would often escort his younger sisters when they were small so I could stay home. The whole town comes alive with young people and we never have any problems.

 

[masquerade]

What I've found from my own experience, trick-or-treating becomes something to be embarrassed about around the age of 12/13. Then suddenly when kids turn 16, trick or treating is fun again!

Personally, I believe we should allow kids to be kids as long as they can. There is ample time for them to be all grown up and adult like. Let them trick-or-treat as long as they are being respectful of other's property and yes ... they HAVE TO wear a costume.

Last Halloween when my then 16 year-old got all dressed up along with a large group of his friends, I spoke to ALL of them about staying out of trouble. They had so much fun tooling around the neighborhoods collecting candy. I once again saw that little boy in him and that alone made me so happy.

 

[theHawk]

I don't mind the teens if they are out having a good time and are respectful. The ones I hate are the ones who show up at your door without a costume and demand candy

Yea thats so frickin annoying.

 

[uscitizen]

All trick or treat should be banned. It is basically extortion in concept.

 

[Middleman]

Put a sign on your lawn that reads:
"Kids Only, No Teens or Adults Please".

Or something similar.

Yeah, then you can invite the little ones in and play doctor with them. They play the patient, you play the doctor, and they get rewarded with extra big candy bars and stickers

 

[rightwinger]

What I've found from my own experience, trick-or-treating becomes something to be embarrassed about around the age of 12/13. Then suddenly when kids turn 16, trick or treating is fun again!

Personally, I believe we should allow kids to be kids as long as they can. There is ample time for them to be all grown up and adult like. Let them trick-or-treat as long as they are being respectful of other's property and yes ... they HAVE TO wear a costume.

Last Halloween when my then 16 year-old got all dressed up along with a large group of his friends, I spoke to ALL of them about staying out of trouble. They had so much fun tooling around the neighborhoods collecting candy. I once again saw that little boy in him and that alone made me so happy.

Thats the way it was with my kids....they went back to trick-or-treating once they were in High School. I really don't mind the older kids as long as they don't get too rowdy. They also need to wrap things up by 9

 

[masquerade]

What I've found from my own experience, trick-or-treating becomes something to be embarrassed about around the age of 12/13. Then suddenly when kids turn 16, trick or treating is fun again!

Personally, I believe we should allow kids to be kids as long as they can. There is ample time for them to be all grown up and adult like. Let them trick-or-treat as long as they are being respectful of other's property and yes ... they HAVE TO wear a costume.

Last Halloween when my then 16 year-old got all dressed up along with a large group of his friends, I spoke to ALL of them about staying out of trouble. They had so much fun tooling around the neighborhoods collecting candy. I once again saw that little boy in him and that alone made me so happy.

Thats the way it was with my kids....they went back to trick-or-treating once they were in High School. I really don't mind the older kids as long as they don't get too roudy. They also need to wrap things up by 9

Agreed!

 

[DiamondDave]

I informed my oldest daughter that it is her last year for this... she's 15... so I don't need the law to say it for me... but I also am not against a community placing limits...

 

[Mad Scientist]

Put a sign on your lawn that reads:
"Kids Only, No Teens or Adults Please".

Or something similar.

Yeah, then you can invite the little ones in and play doctor with them. They play the patient, you play the doctor, and they get rewarded with extra big candy bars and stickers

Hmm, that does look bad doesn't it? Let me try it again:

"I only Give Treats To Kids."