Trick or treating has been part of North American Halloween traditions since the 1920s. The act resembles the late medieval Christian practice of Souling.

Souling originated in Ireland and Great Britain. To soul was to go door to door singing and saying prayers for the dead in return for cakes. This was done by children and poor adults. Souling had no age limit. So why in North America is there an unspoken rule that older children and adults can’t trick or treat?

When I was a junior in high school, my friends and I decided to go Trick or Treating. We put our costumes on, made a tremendous effort and got turned away from literally every house in the neighborhood. We weren’t dressed inappropriately; our costumes were in no way lazy, yet every house in this affluent neighborhood turned us down. Why?

The common notion in North America is that trick or treating takes place between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Shockingly, Americans believe kids are too old to trick or treat after age 11. Is it fair to discriminate against kids that want a fun night out and a little free candy?

If kids who are 12 and older put in the effort and say those magic words: “trick or treat,” what’s the harm in rewarding them with a fun size candy bar?