Disturbing trend - teenagers trick or treating.

[trogdor]

My 16 year old son was out trick or treating last night with his girlfriend. He was wearing one of her outfits and a pair of fairy wings. They brought home a Simpsonsesque pile of candy, and had about the most fun they've ever had on Halloween.

You see, when they were younger, and trick or treating was more age-appropriate, they all had their parental units trailing behind them. While I can appreciate the http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4235364>safety considerations that would make this somewhat necessary, it kind of took something away from the experience that we had in the 1970's, when just going out in groups was enough. So when our kids reach their teens, they want to know what it's like just this once to go out on Halloween like their parents did, without close supervision.

Sad.

[DS1]

1. I think I had supervision until I was in the 4th grade

and then I was on my own, and the freedom was lovely, and the pull was enormous.

[Mutley]

2. I was seven or eight when I went out alone.

Before that my sister always took me, and barely paid attention. I also went out trick-or-treating until I was 16. But, most of the teenagers in my neighborhood did it. I didn't realize that sort of thing was frowned on until we moved.

:shrug:

[trogdor]

3. Well, you usually grow out of it in middle school.

But I guess if everyone else is doing it, then so would I. I just thought it a bit odd that ours would actually rediscover it in the 11th grade, and I thought about how parents feel compelled (or are browbeaten by neighbors) to accompany their children until they were finished with elementary school, after which time they usually lose interest. I did notice that our son had a LOT more fun this year than he ever did with me trailing behind him.

[Mutley]

4. LOL.

Most of the parents seemed happy to see us so they could dump the rest of their candy on us.

[StaggerLee]

5. I worked with a nineteen year old

six years ago. She still went trick or treating because she had an enormous sugar tooth and she looked like she was 12. I found it a little disturbing.

She had her first child that same year btw.