Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Not Happy with Halloween Costume Options | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
In view of the recent developments due to the attack on our country, my husband and I are not happy with the costumes available for Halloween. There are costumes of trench coat mafia, imitation knives, faces of terrorists, and bloody body parts. Are we to have our kids dress up as terrorists and victims of violence? Video stores have pulled movies identified with themes of nature to the attacks. Why would we allow our American children to parade around all evening dressed up representing the violence we are counseling them for?— Gramme in IL | | | ANSWER |
October 1, 2001 | | | Dear Gramme,
I think you make an excellent point. Parents are probably wise to restrict the videos their children are allowed to watch. Since so much "entertainment" seems to focus on explosions and death this might put a pretty tight squeeze on some children's viewing habits. That's probably a good thing.
As for Halloween costumes, there is an added consideration. Even if your child is comfortable dressing up as a bloody corpse or some other gruesome apparition, there is likely to be another child out trick-or-treating (or an adult) who will be very upset. In the spirit of all looking out for each other, particularly in this time of national crisis, I think it is very reasonable for you to insist on costumes that will not be upsetting. Try: spaceman, spacewoman, salt shaker (my favorite), prince, princess, etc.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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