Halloween: Is The Spirit Dying?

Halloween, is a pastime that many of us have participated in throughout our lifetimes or currently do. But is the spirit of Halloween fading or changing for the worst? I really think it might be.

I remember when I was younger, Halloween was a time to dress up as something I enjoyed or wanted to be (at least in the phase of my life). A dog, a cowgirl, a scarecrow, but as I look in the magazines these days or overhear younger kids talking it seems as though this approach has changed. Costumes for young kids to be sexy characters with short skirts or lots of make-up on. There are articles throughout the internet on this exact subject. MSN actually featured an article on this today. It's obvious that it's an issue with many people today, but for the kids- they don't necessarily think it's a bad thing. Our society, nowadays, tends to support that type of behaviour. Having role models or those in the top popularity (singers, actresses, etc) dressing in this manner. It actually makes me sick thinking about it. There are people who are in the "role model" position that do try to do that- be a good role model and take a stand to be the best they can be; however, there are a lot who do not. Although I think that this is a problem, I believe that parents need to step in and put a foot down, so to speak. They should have the final say. Actually, just the other day me and my sister were looking through a magazine and she made a comment to me about the costumes that are available for the younger generations. But costumes are not the only thing that is taking the spirit of Halloween away.

Every year it's written in newspapers after Halloween about someone handing out candy to a child that is unsafe or has a razor blade in it. Instead of letting kids enjoy the night, someone, a sick someone, has to get involved doing some sick behavior like this. That's one reason that I've always enjoyed the idea of Halloween, it's everyone trusting one another. The concept used to be simple- kids dress up in costumes, then go around to houses say trick-or-treat and receive some type of candy or gift that was bought in a store. Now, that concept is not so simple, with people tampering with the candy, trying to harm kids or kids disappearing when out and about.

What is the answer to stop these individuals? Do we have to just deal with it happening from time to time? or can the concept that used to be so simple with Halloween have to be over? I would hate for it to be the end of an era, but it's an consideration with everything that has been going on lately. Keep the Halloween spirit alive!