Is Trick or Treat Good Fun or Justified Begging?
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Why Is It Ok To Take Candy From Strangers When It Is Called Trick Or Treat?
Recently I was asked, "Why do you teach your children not to take candy from strangers on 364 days of the year, and then on one day you send them out begging for it?"
Interesting question with no simple answer. Up until that moment I had always thought of Halloween as just good fun.
I think the real issue was cultural. Growing up in America, I grew up trick or treating. It was many, many years ago and we celebrated in groups so we didn't think about Halloween danger, nor did we think about why it was OK to go begging for candy just one night of the year. It just was. It was part of the fun and culturally accepted.
Now, living in New Zealand it's much less common, and something new. An American custom brought down under, and not all that well received by everyone. My children were received with smiles and treats at some households and made to feel like little beggars at others.
This page is your chance to decide, so have a look and join the debate.
Photo © Rhonda Albom 2007
Quick: Is Trick or Treat Good Fun or Is It Begging?
(poll added Sept 2011)
“Trick or Treat" or should that be "I Beg You, Please Give Me Some Candy!”
Join the Debate Here - Is Trick or Treat Begging
or is it just good old fashion Halloween fun?
Is Trick or Treat Begging or Good Fun?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byTrick or Treat is Begging
Chloe says:
I think it is bgegging and its rude to knock on peoples doors. If people feel the need then If someones home is decorated or has lit pumpkins then I think you could approach those homes with children, but if not I do think its begging. Now a days lots of older kids knock at doors with just a mask on, and nothing more. Thats harassement and begging. I hate it and won't open my door unless I know my childrens friends are coming over.
Posted October 31, 2011
crosscreations says:
Mixed feelings on this one. Back in MY day... it was not begging! :-) since 'trick or treat' meant you do a trick to get the treat, and we took that seriously. Part of the fun was practicing our tricks or jokes all through the month of October.
However nowadays kids don't seem to have a CLUE about the 'trick' part and I find that sad. Especially when kids show up in lame or no costumes wanting to grab and go, then yes that DOES appear to be begging.
LOVE the costumes, but the candy part kinda grosses me out, truly! Now that my kids are older, I've become a 'trick or treat' Scrooge. No lights nor jack-o-lanterns at my door anymore. I used to be just the opposite, went all out! Yet when kids came and said 'trick or treat' I would respond 'trick?' and I'd ask them to entertain me to get the candy. Some thought I was nuttier than a fruitcake. So be it.
Posted March 14, 2010
Jimmie says:
It's begging. But originally trick or treat was a threat -- give or I'll get you! I think the entire holiday is evil.
Posted September 09, 2009
prosperity66 says:
Two options is too short, there should be a third option: not yes, not no... Depends on the country and culture. In my country, it's considered as begging ; which is normal, Halloween is new here and people only start to add it to our own All Saints Day and Day of the Deads. So, I would say, it's important to respect the culture of the country you live... While, on the other hand, it's a fun time to spend with the kids :)
Posted August 29, 2009
spirituality says:
Of course trick or treat is begging. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Over protecting kids has become a national pastime, and trick or treat is one of the moments when that straight jacket gets loosened a bit & kids are stimulated to meet the neighbors. Which is a good thing.
the thing about teaching kids to not take candy from strangers is socially totally different. It's in the context of an adult reaching out to a kid in an inappropriate way. Halloween is about kids reaching out to the neighbors and the neighbors welcoming them and sharing some food (aka candy). Very different process.
Posted August 24, 2009
sandyspider says:
I believe it is begging. But it is the traditional day of begging. Maybe it should be renamed that. Of I never stopped my child from going or handing out candy. What other holiday can you tell your child that it is OK to take candy from a stranger?
Posted August 18, 2009
Trick or Treat is Just for Fun!
SacredCynWear says:
I believe that Halloween is truly a givers Holiday. Unlike Christmas, Halloween is the one time of the year that people, whole neighborhoods even, unite to give to masses of children and adults alike. It is a time of the year that people put aside their social suppression and go to a stranger's house and become acquainted, even for a little bit. Trick or treating shouldn't be seen as begging, because begging means to plead to those who truly don't have it in their hearts to respond.
Posted September 07, 2010
bethd821 says:
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids of all ages. I still love to go to costume parties!
Posted September 07, 2010
CreativeArtist says:
Trick or Treat is for fun, and it's also optional. I think the dressing up part is the trick and then of course they get a treat. : )
Posted September 07, 2010
anmatt says:
The trick or treating is my favorite part of Halloween. I love to dress my kids up in costumes and walk them around the neighborhood and basically show them off. However, one of my children cannot eat refined sugar, so we don't actually eat the candy. The kids trade it in for a toy. We've done this for several years. At first my husband and I would keep some of the candy and enjoy it ourselves. Now, we pretty much throw it away because each year commercial candy tastes more and more disgusting to us, plus harder to hide from the kids.
Posted August 12, 2010
_Joan_ says:
I think it's understood that if a house is decorated for Halloween or has its porch lights on on Halloween night, it is making an invitation: "We're giving out candy here. Come get some!" Anyone who comes to their door is responding to the invitation. That is not begging.
Posted October 04, 2009
MsSnow4a says:
It's just part of Halloween fun. It doesn't mean our children wil grow up and beg people for things when they are adults.
Posted September 09, 2009
Trick or Treat is Begging
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Whether or Not It is Begging, If You Are Trick or Treating You Need a Candy Bag
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Kay Baia
May 12, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- Love to be able to come up with a home made clever costume!!!
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mbgphoto
Sep 8, 2010 @ 1:45 pm | delete
- Great idea for a lens! Blessed by a SquidAngel
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Pukeko
Sep 19, 2010 @ 7:14 am | delete
- Thanks for the blessing!
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SacredCynWear
Sep 7, 2010 @ 10:50 pm | delete
- great lens! I love that you have a good debate and find the other responses quite interesting. How funny that I never even thought people perceived trick or treating as begging, you learn something new everyday!
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Pukeko
Sep 19, 2010 @ 7:14 am | delete
- I never did either when I lived in the states.
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CreativeArtist Sep 7, 2010 @ 7:59 pm | delete
- I voted for Halloween is fun and added http://www.squidoo.com/hello-kitty-halloween-costumes to the costume list; perhaps the comment will show up here.
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partybuzz
Aug 19, 2010 @ 8:50 am | delete
- Great idea for a duel! Lensrolled you back with my Trick or Treat Alternative Ideas. :)
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crosscreations
Mar 14, 2010 @ 10:12 am | delete
- LOVE costumes but don't care for the modern day 'trick or treat' gig. Excellently crafted 5 star page here! A+
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MeltedRachel
Jan 20, 2010 @ 2:26 pm | delete
- Personally I don't like Trick or Treating. I'm in the UK so it's not like there's a lot of it here anyway but I think it's different these days too. When I was a kid I knew everyone in my village, now most people are strangers who commute to work miles away. The sense of community seems a bit lost. I like the idea of schools doing parties though, that's a better way to do it I think.
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skiesgreen
Dec 26, 2009 @ 7:57 pm | delete
- To me its encouraging kids into mindless activities that is based on something most people know nothing about, like burning live people at the stake for their lack of religious faith or what ever. Its also disgusting in the guises and gear that people dress up in. Good lens for a debate
Norma
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About the Author of Is Trick or Treat Begging?
by Pukeko
Photographer / Humorist
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