I woke up two hours before my alarm this morning. I often turn on the news when this happens, because it usually lulls me back to sleep. Today was no exception, which is why I was only half awake when they started talking about an online petition to move Halloween.
{Insert groan here.} Here we go again.
As Halloween draws closer, many will start to argue that the holiday should be moved to a weekend. Or at least the Trick-or-Treat part should. Especially when it falls on a weekday, like it does this year. (It’s a Thursday, by the way. A good excuse to take Friday off, if you ask me.)
Anyway, when I finally woke up, I was all jazzed because I knew exactly what I’d be researching and writing about today. I wanted to find out what organization was behind the “Move Halloween” movement.
I figured either a parent one of some sort, or maybe a religious one. I never expected it to be the trade organization that it is: the Halloween & Costume Association.
#Shocker
The Petition
I want to say I remember hearing about the National Petition to Move Halloween last year, but, to be honest, last October was sort of a bust around my house. Life got in the way and there was no time to celebrate like I normally do.
But apparently the Halloween & Costume Association actually launched the Change.org petition last year and hoped to get 75,000 signatures –which they didn’t.
However, as of this post they’re now nearly there with 73,560 signatures.
Seems the Halloween & Costume Association is doing some marketing in the form of press releases, because my local news station cited another one who covered the story. (And which had noted at the time of their initial publication –July 24th– the petition only had 57,000 signatures.)
Now even USA Today has run a story about it, which the petition linked to.
And what will they do once they get enough signatures? Send it to the President of the United States hoping for…what? An executive order? That’s not clear, but that’s their goal.
The Argument
The Halloween & Costume Association argues the same as everyone else who’d like to see Halloween moved:
- Moving the holiday to the last weekend in October would give more parents the chance go Trick-or-Treating with their kids.
- It’s safer for kids.
Here’s the statistics they cite for why the move is a good idea:
- 3,800 Halloween-related injuries each year. Talk to your kids about safety before they head out!
- 82% of parents don’t use high visibility aids on their costume, be sure to incorporate reflective tape, glow sticks, finger lights or light up accessories
- 63% of children don’t carry a flashlight while they are tick-or-treating. Grab a clip-on light if they don’t want to carry one! Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween. Discuss safety, pre-plan a route, stay on sidewalks and use crosswalks
- 65% of parents don’t discuss Halloween safety with their children. Talk with your kids and offer ways to ensure a fun and safe experience
- 70% of parents don’t accompany their children trick-or-treating. You’re never too old to trick-or-treat! Grab a costume and take advantage of some good ol’ fashioned family bonding!
- 51% Of Millennials say Halloween is their favorite holiday, why cram it into 2 rushed evening weekday hours when it deserves a full day!?!
A Lesson in Critical Thinking
Fear. Child endangerment. That’s why this petition was allegedly created. To protect the kids.
I call shenanigans.
This is a publicity stunt to get you thinking about costumes and how to spend your Halloween money, as evidenced by their own stats.
They actually discredit their arguments –and prove it’s all about selling you more stuff in a couple cases. Check it out:
- First of all, one has to wonder: Where’d they get their stats? Who knows. There are no sources listed. How do we know they’re not made up?
- Assuming the stats are correct and truthful, why is it that 70% of parents don’t accompany their kids? The Halloween & Costume Association suggests the move to a Saturday would allow more parents to go Trick-or-Treating, but their stat citing 70% of parents don’t go also suggests parents are either (a) not interested in going, or are (b) too lazy: “You’re never too old to trick-or-treat! Grab a costume and take advantage of some good ol’ fashioned family bonding!” (Okay, so they’d don’t say “buy” a costume, but they’re promoting getting one.)
- The 82% (again, where’d they get this stat?) is a shameless subliminal message to buy light up gear and accessories.
- Also, does anyone else find it hard to believe 65% of parents don’t “don’t discuss Halloween safety with their children”? Seriously? In this age of Helicopter Parenting? I find that one very hard to believe.
- Finally, the 51% of Millennials part: “…why cram it into 2 rushed evening weekday hours when it deserves a full day!?” Um, there is no “cramming” in Halloween, especially for a true Halloween lover. They all know Halloween is a season that’s celebrated all October long. Also, I’m confused. “rushed into 2 evening weekday hours?” Where does this happen? I’ve only ever Trick-or-Treated on Halloween night.
Parents
Parents shouldn’t be signing this petition. They should be offended by it.
All these stats show is that the majority of parents are not doing their jobs and slacking off –under the guise that changing a beloved tradition is actually in the best interest of the children.
Bollocks.
Don’t create them if you can’t appreciate them.
Leave Halloween alone. You knew what day it fell on when you decided to have kids.
Check-In
What about you? Are you for moving Halloween or against it?
