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Halloween forgets children
Goblins, ghosts, vampires and witches will
fill the streets tonight, as they do every
Halloween. But this year, people wearing
those generic, traditional costumes will
most likely be joined by Martha Stewarts,
snipers, Saddam Husseins and Osama bin Ladens.
As disturbing as it sounds, we may even
see a few pseudo-priests tromping through
the streets and hopping from bar to bar.
It is becoming increasingly evident that
Halloween has evolved into an adult-themed
holiday. Nowadays it is quite acceptable
for adults to dress up in lavish costumes
and head out to bashes or bars and clubs
in celebration of Halloween night. Unfortunately,
as this evolution continues, the holiday
is slowly but surely being stolen away from
children.
Sure, children still get to dress up in
their little superhero, mermaid, princess
or cartoon character costumes, but when
it comes to trick-or-treating, the actual
act of enjoying Halloween night, things
have changed.
The pretend, fun spookiness of the season
has been overcome by real fear and substantiated
worry.
After a summer plagued by child kidnappings
and murders, no decent parents in their
right minds would even think about allowing
their children to venture outside by themselves,
let alone knock on strangers’ doors asking
for candy. Some parents now simply say “no”
to trick-or-treating altogether.
The candy itself poses a threat to children’s
safety, as we have seen in previous years.
It seems like every Halloween razorblades,
needles, poison or drugs are discovered
in some child’s candy bag. Parents are now
obligated to inspect every single piece
of candy before allowing their child to
partake in the night’s gains.
Furthermore, many amusement parks and Halloween-themed
events are far too scary and gory for young
children. Various pumpkin patches strewn
here and there provide a limited amount
of fun for children. Owners of entertainment
places such as Knott’s Berry Farm and the
Queen Mary have realized that the real money
is made scaring teenagers and adults.
It would be nice to be able to end this
article with a positive statement like,
“Let’s give Halloween back to the children.”
However, we all know how unrealistic and
impossible that would be. Society does not
move backwards, and situations like these
do not improve. The most we can do is be
aware of the evolution that is taking place.
Perhaps the evolution of Halloween is a
reflection of society’s evolution, the loss
of all that is innocent.
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