The dark side of Halloween
By Robert P. Lindeman, MD, PhD
Halloween is one of the most eagerly anticipated holidays of the year. Many of my patients start planning their costumes when school begins, six to eight weeks before October 31! And, for most kids, Halloween is a whole lot of fun.
But whereas most children look forward to the costumes, the parties, and of course, the candy, for some families, the best part of Halloween is waking up on November 1 to find the holiday is over.
Fear factor
Some children, especially pre-schoolers, find any costume frightening, even ones portraying benign, lovable characters. Anyone who has seen a 4-year-old run screaming from Casper the friendly ghost knows what I mean. For younger children, the difference between fantasy and reality may be difficult to figure out. The sight of a parent donning a mask can be very frightening to a young child. In the child's mind, the parent has quite literally been transformed into another creature! This is why I recommend to the parents of my patients that they keep the costume-wearing to other children.
Spooky costumes, especially the more grotesque or bloody ones, can easily disturb more sensitive children of any age. The children most at risk include those who have lost a parent or loved one to accidental death or disease. Even children who themselves have survived devastating illness or accident may not see ghosts and goblins in the same spirit of playful fun as their peers. For this reason, I recommend that parents avoid decorations that depict death and dismemberment, and that they choose costumes that affirm life and emphasize the fun aspects of Halloween.
Conscientious objectors
For most, Halloween is a completely secular holiday, but for many it is not. I have frequently asked a young patient what she plans to be for Halloween, only to be confronted by an uncomfortable silence. Then the mother will gently inform me that her family does not 'do' Halloween. Many families in our community choose not to participate in Halloween festivities for religious reasons. There are many religious objections to Halloween observance, but most of them derive from prohibitions against devil worship, communication with the dead, and witchcraft.
These families and their religious convictions should be respected. This is easier to do when the children attend private religious schools or are home-schooled. It is more of a challenge for public school teachers and principals to accommodate those children from religious families. I recommend that schools sponsor parties before Halloween, but that the festivities should avoid any themes related to the occult, the devil, or witches.
My hope for Halloween
The historical All Hallow's Eve, later shortened to Halloween, began as a night when one tried to trick the devil by dressing up as someone else. More recently, we began to dress as devils in order to trick (or treat) one another. My hope for Halloween is that it will become a festive celebration of dressing up and having fun without meaning to trick anyone. I hope so for the sake of my patients who recoil in horror from imaginary devils.
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Updated: 10/3/03
