Most of us are at the age at which we are questioning whether we should stop dressing up for Halloween and trick or treating? Every year, since I was 13, my parents told me that I was way too old to dress up. They thought that as teens get older, they grow out of “little kid things.” Parents’ opinion differ from teens’ opinion because there point of view is different.

Personally, I think anyone can dress up and trick or treat, no matter their age. Our teenage years are filled with extreme stress and pressure.  Halloween is a holiday where we can go back to being little kids, and having the most fun we can with our friends.

I am not the only teen in Norristown who feels this way.

“For me personally, I don’t think there should be any limit for dressing up and going trick or treating.”, said  Natalia Allen, junior. “I mean nobody really wrote a rule as to how old you must be in order to stop going.” (Technically  a town in Canada did, but we’re good.)

Some students don’t agree with Allen’s and my opinion on trick or treating. That doesn’t mean, however, that we cannot still dress up and celebrate. 

“If you’re dressing up for a Halloween party, it’s fine,” said Mary Andrade, sophomore. “Adults do it all the time. I don’t think it’s wrong. It’s something fun to do.”

Bryanna Skipwith, sophomore, has a more complicated opinion on the issue.  “ I think [trick or treating] is fine, depending on the age of the teenager,” she said. “If you’re 18, you shouldn’t be trick or treating or dressing up, but [you can dress up] only if you’re going to a party.” 

“Two years ago, I went trick or treating with my friends and we didn’t see anything wrong with it,” Allen acknowledged.  “But also partying is okay.”

From a parent’s point of view, Jennifer Shahin, French teacher,  believes there should be an age limit on trick or treating,

“I think that once you hit high school, it isn’t about the dressing up anymore as it is just about getting the candy,” Shahin said. “So the intention of the ‘holiday’ changes.”  

Not all parents share Shahin’s point of view. “I do not think there is an age limit as long as the person dressed up and is polite,” said Bonnie Glaeser, Math teacher. “If they are dressed up in a costume and say thank you, that is good enough for me. It’s all about having fun. If you participate, you should be able to get candy.”

So if you ever show up at Mrs. Glaeser’s house be sure to be dressed up in a costume and use manners, which is always the key to score more candy.

“I have been known to give extra or better candy to cleverly dressed kids,” Glaeser added.  “I also don’t give out the best candy to teenagers that aren’t dressed up.”

Dressing up expresses your personality, your interests, your creativity. Halloween is Wednesday, so get out there, be bold, and make a statement no matter how old you are!