Most holidays aren't just about having fun and celebrating. History tells us there have been many political struggles and questions about behavior and public safety, especially with Christmas and Halloween, with their well developed public personas. Have you ever asked someone after Halloween "How many trick or treaters did you have?" only to get an answer like "I think kids go to parties or the mall these days" or
"Are you kidding? No way I'm going to open my door to some guy wearing a mask!".

 

For fans of the trick or treating custom, these are sobering responses to hear. Though trick or treating thrives in pockets across the country, there's no question that it has generally declined over the last 30 years. Tainted candy scares have turned out to be largely the stuff of urban legends with little or misunderstood foundation in real life. Still parents worry. And what about the vague uneasiness about random and senseless street crime in many cities that wasn't there in the mid 20th century? Among the alternative activities that have sprung up that are considered more safe is the proliferation of commercial haunted houses, many of them not really appropriate for children because of their violent imagery.

 

In addition, some conservative Christians have rallied to ban Halloween celebrations from public schools because they see it as the devil's holiday. If that push comes from the right wing, there's also a lower profile but pervasive push to downplay many holiday celebrations, including Halloween, coming from the left as well. Out of concerns about political correctness, they stress that all activities in public schools and the public arena in general, should show cultural sensitivity and inclusion. << back | continued >>