ORLANDO, FL—A recent survey conducted by childhood psychologists and undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) uncovered that Halloween is sending mixed signals to children about taking candy from strangers. Hundreds of elementary school children and their parents or guardians were interviewed for the survey, which revealed that children ages 5-11 have trouble grasping the concept that it is acceptable behavior to take candy from strangers on October 31st but not at other times.
“I really like candy,” reported one child from Poinciana, Florida. “Snickers are the best, but Mommy says that I shouldn’t take candy from just anybody. She also says I shouldn’t get in cars with people I don’t know. Halloween’s different; I get to dress up and get candy from strangers. Maybe I can get in their cars now, too? Maybe I can do this at the end of every month (Mommy won’t know if I do it in a costume).”
The research indicated further that many children misunderstand the reasons for rationing out their Halloween spoils when they procured them in a single night. Those with peanut and other food allergies or aversions have difficulty comprehending that their allergies are perennial, not changing with the rules of the holiday. Numerous medical emergencies have occurred as a result. Even more worrisome is that many children are confused about whether to follow any guidance or rule from parents, guardians, or society on Halloween, also blurring the proverbial lines on other holidays and even randomly throughout the year. Some other longitudinal studies across the nation have even found that children who participate in Halloween have more difficulty as adults talking to strangers, especially troublesome in service-based industries.
Nevertheless, there does seem to be a mitigating effect for Idaho Spud candy, according to several questionnaires distributed by BYU-Idaho; children eat potatoes year round and see no categorical difference between the candy and the starchy, tuberous crop. The only other exception found in similar studies is New York City, where none—child or adult—is able to differentiate between Halloween and the rest of the year due to a diverse population, consistently bizarre outfits and behavior, and universal distrust of strangers. Future research may involve determining whether children who participate in trick-or-treating grow up to steal candy or other desirable items, especially while wearing disguises.