Halloween is for Everyone

Halloween is a time of fun and spirit. It is the one time it is okay for everyone to dress up in costumes, and do silly, fun and spirited things. And one of these things is trick-or-treating.
Growing up, my parents had a “Candy is for kids” attitude. When the little kids were done and mostly teenagers started knocking on doors, they’d ‘close up shop.’ Over recent years, I have increasingly taken a different attitude.
First, for some people, Halloween is the only time when they can get junk food. I read on Twitter (before X marked the spot that I will not go) about Seanan McGuire, a popular author, growing up extremely poor and with a high level of food insecurity. The only time she had candy was during Halloween. Consequently, she keeps trick-or-treating well into her later teens. Many families are in a situation where it is hard enough to provide healthy food, let alone sweet treats. It is wrong; no one should go without access to basic nutrition, but for many, it is a fact of life. So, let’s not deny children of such places a brief moment of indulgence and fun.
And let’s also not forget that teenagers are children. Adults sigh about children ‘growing up too quickly’ then complain when older children want to do something fun and childish. Pick a lane, please. If you want kids to remain kids, let them do fun and silly things without judging them as ‘too old’. They are not doing anyone harm by going door to door,
Which is another reason why older kids dressing up and trick-or-treating should be encouraged, not looked at derisively: they are choosing to do something lighthearted instead of causing trouble. Teens trick-or-treating are not getting high or drunk, not committing vandalism or doing anything risky or stupid. Shouldn’t that be encouraged? Want to score free candy instead of getting stoned? Go for it!
But mostly, I am opposed to gatekeeping fun. There is little enough lightheartedness in today’s world. Let’s not take away one night of spirit and enjoyment from anyone, for any reason,
Happy Halloween.