Are Teens Too Old to Go Trick-or-Treating?
What? What should be the cutoff age to go trick-or-treating—or, alternatively, trunk-or-treating? That was the subject of a recent viral Instagram post from content creator Deena Lang. Specifically, Lang said that if any teenagers were to show up at her door on Halloween looking for candy, she would give them their share of sweets with “zero harassment.” More interesting than the original post were the replies from teens speaking about their own trick-or-treating experiences, with many of them recalling being told that they were “too old” for the activity. One commentor even received that chastisement as a 10-year-old.
So What? Lang’s Instagram post struck a nerve tied to the at-times vague concept of “growing up.” What activities are too childish for older kids, and when does that cutoff happen? The Apostle Paul touches on the idea of giving up “childish ways” as a way to encourage his readers to grow in their faith. But we also shouldn’t be too quick to make kids grow up (and, despite their growing maturity, teens are still kids).
Now What? Parents will know their children best and can have a conversation together to see if making the rounds for Halloween candy is still an activity they should enjoy. And if you’re wondering whether Halloween is something your family wants to explore at all, check out “Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?” by Focus on the Family.
‘Denized’ and Gen Z’s Unemployment Struggles
What? A new study from the United Kingdom found that 13% of people ages 16 to 24 are “not in education, employment or training.” Frustrations with the current job market have led to the rise of the term “Denized,” named after a London-based TikToker who has mined his own employment struggles for relatable humor.
So What? As an article in Thred put it: “There’s something reassuring about discovering that hundreds of other people are experiencing the same thing. But there’s also something concerning about unemployment becoming so familiar that it develops its own internet vocabulary.” It’s not as though Gen Z hasn’t been trying to break into the workforce. But the way someone gets a job nowadays, and what makes an applicant attractive for a company looking to hire, has changed in recent years. A college degree is no longer the differentiator it once was. Internships and extracurriculars could be seen as more of an expectation than a feather in the cap of a job hunter. Some entry-level jobs are, oxymoronically, paired with experience requirements that shut out young applicants—and that’s if the job hasn’t already been (or tried to be) automated with artificial intelligence.
Now What? With all of that in mind, help your child to network and create connections when available. Support them in building unique skills that may help them stand out. Above all, be an encouraging voice in their corner when it comes to unemployment struggles: They may be doing everything that’s expected of them (and then some) and still run into a brick wall when it comes to getting a job. Exercise patience and, when a job finally comes, be sure to celebrate it with your child.
What is the ‘Paranoia Game?’
What? A certain party game called the “Paranoia Game” is gaining popularity, having been featured on an episode of the dark romantic drama Tell Me Lies. Teen Vogue recently put out a how-to guide so teens can play the game with their friends. The game is played with a group of people (as few as three). Taking turns, one person whispers a question into the ear of another, after which the questioned person audibly answers with someone’s name—someone who is, ideally, in the group present. A coin (or other item) is flipped to see if the original question will be shared with the whole group, so there’s a chance the question won’t be shared, and the person whose name was called out must live with the “paranoia” of not knowing what was asked or what they were the answer to.
So What? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to decipher how the Paranoia Game could cause a lot of hurt. The questions asked in the game are completely up to the players, and can range from innocent (“who could jump the highest”) to hurtful (“who is the ugliest”). Embarrassing questions could be revealed to a large number of people, or a person could be left, yes, paranoid by something that wasn’t revealed.
Now What? Ask your teens if they’re aware of the Paranoia Game and whether or not they have played it. Caution them about the unnecessary hurt that the activity could cause a friend group. It might be fun. It also might not be worth the headache.
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