Daring Halloween Costumes: Could A Daughter Wear Them?
October Traditions
October is a time for fun!
Halloween has a long and rich history. According to the History Channel the holiday is over 2000 years old with origins being traced back to the Celtic Festival of Samhain. History shows that each year on October 31st the Celts would wear “Halloween costumes” and try to predict the future for each other. I am not going to regurgitate the history of Halloween. As time passes and traditions change, each new generation will add their interpretations about celebrating Halloween and what it means to them.
October Childhood
When I was growing up I looked forward to seeing the leaves change colors on trees. As a young child, the leaves were my reminder that fun events would soon begin, e.g., Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Every year I would start thinking about my Halloween expeditions at the beginning of October. I would think about all the candy, the school Halloween parties (they even allowed us to call them Halloween parties) and my costume.
In my opinion, creativity was key in having a great costume (rarely store-bought). I remember going as a Charlie Brown ghost, Clark Kent, a Jedi and even a television set with an antenna. I can remember wandering around the neighborhoods and seeing lots of children all dressed up in various forms of gore or glamour. Everything that children wore represented a fantasy. It was the one time of year we could become something fun or unusual without major fear of retribution from friends or family.
October Changes
Today, costumes are generally store-bought or made with intricate details. Children compete with each other to see who has the best , the most original or spent the most money on a costume. Halloween is still one of my favorite Holidays (see Family Traditions – Addams Style). I want to enjoy the things that are important to my son and dressing up for Halloween is one of them.
As I begun my yearly search for my Halloween costume I found that the holiday has taken on new meaning. Being a father and a parent my main concern had been safety. Now, I think of safety and hoping my three year-old-son doesn’t see any of these costumes while we are trick-or-treating.
Halloween Costumes Gone Wrong – 2012
Halloween takes on new meaning!Located at Halloween Express
1. Michael Myers – Many people consider the film Halloween a horror classic. The movie has placed fear in the heart of many babysitters since its release in 1978. I think the film franchise could have taken a totally different direction if Michael Myers had looked like this in the original film.
2. Where’s Waldo, Wilma or Wenda - Even children’s literature isn’t safe this year from ridicule. The Where’s Waldo series of books challenged children to find Waldo hidden in a picture. I will admit the costume conception is close to the character. The issue I have is the lack of a difficulty level in locating Wilma or Wenda (depending on where you buy the costume)!
Finding Waldo isn’t that difficult!Located at Spirit Halloween
I don’t think the mouse wants cheese!Located at Sears
3. Minnie Mouse – The Walt Disney Company created Minnie as the fun-loving girlfriend of Mickey Mouse. Many people personify Mickey and Minnie Mouse with Walt Disney qualities In my house, we watch the Mickey Mouse Club daily and we have fun, play, sing and dance to the show. I have a feeling that the person dressed like Minnie Mouse might feel the same way (I won’t mention that the Mickey Mouse Club’s closing song is the Hot Dog dance).
4. Marvin the Martian – As I think about my childhood, I remember Bugs Bunny and Marvin the Martian. Marvin was always on a quest to destroy the earth and Bugs was always there to save the planet. Marvin is known for his big eyes but I am not sure the eyes are correct on this costume. If my three-year-old son saw this costume on Halloween he would ask me why the eyes are resting on someones “boobs” (his cousin taught him that term.)
Marvin looks angry!Located at Target
5. Bert and Ernie – Sesame Street is known for teaching our children the ABC’s and 123′s. My own son has often wished he could meet the various characters that live there. I am afraid if he meet this Bert and Ernie we might never watch the show again. In fact, I might have to answer questions that I am not ready to deal with as a father.
Think like a dad
I have no problem with these type of costumes. People need the freedom to express themselves. When I think about these costumes as a father, I am not sure they are the proper way to fully express who you are. As you’re reading this stop and think about the various costumes…consider the fact that these costumes are ”sexy Halloween costumes.” What does it says about a person if they want to dress as a sexy Michael Myers or a cartoon character. What does it say about the person that asks someone else to dress up like this?
In my research for Halloween costumes I found many other examples, e.g., Tigger, Jane Jetson or Santa Claus. Fantasies are a great tool that can help people explore their identity and solve problems. If you are still can’t decide if they would make good Halloween costumes I would like to remind all mothers and fathers that someday your daughters or possible granddaughters might consider these good Halloween choices.
My opinion is that Halloween is a fun holiday for people to wear costumes. I never considered Halloween the holiday that my son might have adult style questions. How do you feel about the “sexy Halloween costumes” being produced this year? What would you tell your child or any child if they see costumes like this? Would you ignore it and hope your child doesn’t notice? Tell me more in the comments!!
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Tags: family traditions, history of halloween, october 31st
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Please, no sexy costumes for kids. I have three teenage daughters who are still innocent. They know that their mom and dad wouldn’t approve of these costumes so they wouldn’t even try to get them.
Last year all three of my daughters dressed in the same costume, as witches, but it was difficult to find costumes for them that weren’t suggestive. I hope that this year it will be easier but I doubt it!
Carolyn,
I really understand that! My nieces (and one of them is 14) wouldn’t even consider wearing anything like these. she knows her parents (and Uncle) would disapprove. My personal feeling is considering the costume ideas for females seem to be taking on less and less clothing it will become increasingly difficult as our children grow up. I don’t have a problem with the costumes per say but i do have a problem with having to explain things to my 3-year-old son before he needs to know about anything like this (maybe I am just a little old fashion).
Aaron
P.S. I would have replied to this sooner but I have had a week of fighting with my computer over a virus (my laptop is in the shop now) and learning about copyright laws (the site that I got the virus from was stealing my content and selling it)!
Aaron
How evil can you get? Stealing your content and then giving you a virus. I hate those hackers on the Internet.
Right now Google wants you to disavow sites linking to you, but when you try to visit some of the spammy sites, they will give you viruses. No thanks!
Sorry that happened to you, Aaron!
Carolyn,
Thank you for your concern. Sorry it took me a few weeks to get back to you but I had surgery earlier this week. The unplanned event made me behind on just about everything in my life….yikes! I am truly hoping that I can actually have one uneventful month….I have had one event after the next since September….sigh….
Aaron