AIBU to think WTF were the parents thinking?

[JakeyRolling]

DS (7) had his school Halloween disco last night.

Amongst the usual questionable costumes (Squid Games guards, tiny cheerleaders outfits Etc… The kind I wouldn’t do and I can’t understand why a parent would but not inherently problematic) there was one kid in a Santa outfit with a scary pointy “blood” splattered mask and a stabbing knife. (The mask is similar to the pic)
Quite apart from the fact the school has a “no masks” policy, this was for the P1-3 age group so the oldest kid was no more than 9 and therefore many kids are still believers.

DS is autistic and was a bit upset by it and we had to explain several times it was a costume.

AIBU in being pissed at the parents?

They see bits and pieces referenced in other things like roblox etc. Other kids talk about them. I watch tons of horror and have shelves full of dvds with them on the cover. They see pictures of them when scrolling through Netflix. Youtubers talk about them. Loads of ways

I would like to see a step back towards the more fun traditional costumes of ghosts, witches, skeletons and the like, but it's not going to happen is it. What I would have done is reminded the child in the gory mask of the policy on masks and said that I would look after it for him until he was ready to go home. I don't know why the organisers were too wet to take action, it shouldn't be too difficult to be firm but kind. That kind of mask is really horrific for children of that age group; some might be fine with it and have no difficulty associating it with "just dress up stuff", for others it will be the source of nightmares for a while to come.

I wouldn't have an issue with it in later years, but that age group, nah. Totally unnecessary.

Why have a Halloween party and then limit what children can wear? The whole point of Halloween is that children get scared. If the children are too sensitive they shouldn’t be going to the party.

it's a SCHOOL party. Completely reasonable to have rules, and the no-mask rule make sense for so many reasons, and SHOULD be applied to all children.

The whole point of Halloween is that children get scared.
it really isn't.

Regardless, it's should be age-appropriate anyway.

Would you take the primary school kids to a fright event, which are 15+ or even 18? Of course not. Or you shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children 😂

It came from college football and was originally a male activity. 4 former US presidents were cheerleaders-Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan and Bush. It doesn’t have its origins in high schools or with girls at all. Most US high school teams these days would also be co-ed.

I’m guessing YouTube, Roblox, friends at school?

Thank you x

This is about a scary Santa, though, with little kids around who think that Santa is that lovely old guy who brings them presents.

Yes exactly how do children even know who these characters are if they haven’t seen the films? Reminds me of years ago when I was teaching and a six year old told me his favourite film was a Chucky film. I had a word with the parents and told them it was totally inappropriate for a child of that age to be watching films like that. It is probably not allowed for teachers nowadays to challenge parents regarding stuff like this. I still remember the reporting on the James Bulger murder. It was found that what was done to that poor little boy was partly based on the Chucky films that his murderers had viewed along with the horrendous parenting the two perpetrators had suffered.

Halloween costumes are meant to be scary. This makes more sense than dressing up as a cute bunny or bob the builder, completely missing the whole point of halloween

I’m looking at current statistics and how violence amongst children is increasing, especially knife crime.
I’m not referring to medieval times - we’ve moved on from public executions - or would you like to see them being brought back? Even still, Child on child crime has never been as bad as it is now. This is going on official statistics - not anecdotal evidence or the daily mail.
I’ve shared my thoughts and won’t engage further with you as we’re clearly on very different pages.

Kids stabbing each other has absolutely nothing to do with dressing up as scary Santa for Halloween. It’s mostly drug and gang related

Terrifying masks and fake knives or weapons can never be appropriate in a school, certainly not for smalls.

It’s for the views, likes, comments and sharing. It’s for social media. Parents are not just sending cutesy photos to the grandparents anymore, it’s a performance for the world now and they need to stand out from the crowd. A black pointy hat, green face and an ugly wart doesn’t cut it nowadays.

I actually agree with you but young children should in an ideal world not be exposed to characters from films made for the adult market. It seems that some parents have no problem with it though. Very depressing.

I agree with you about the super skimpy outfits on little girls btw not appropriate if you ask me but Halloween is meant to be scary so I see nothing wrong with scary Santa. Some kids would be scared of the traditional ghost/witch stuff so where do you draw the line, might as well cancel Halloween

What film was scary Santa in? I genuinely must of missed it but can imagine it being something someone thought up themselves

"Now"

There have been Killer Santas since the 80s 🤣

It is mentioned several times upthread by different posters. It is from a film called ‘Terrifier’ or similar. I can only go on what PP’s have written as I have never watched crap like that.

P1 is 5 and 6 year olds right? I don't know the film but just seeing the picture of the mask I don't think it's at all appropriate.

I missed that comment technically I was way too young to be a parent but shit happens lol, scary Santa is different to old women being turned into a nightmare costune through witches or deceased people being turned into a nightmare’ costume through ghost? I seriously can’t see the problem hallowee is supposed to be scary

Does that necessarily mean the child has seen The film and didn’t just see the costume in a shop and say “mummy can I have that one and go as scary Santa”?

Absolutely, many of the children obsessed with Pennywise from IT haven't seen the movies, let alone read the book.

It was everywhere, and still is. You don't need to have seen the movie to know the character and want the costume.

Do people think kids dressed as Harry Potter have read the books?😂 At best they've seen one movie

Our schools has a no masks or weapons rule.

Presumably he was dropped off/signed in by an adult at that age so they should have been told to take it off him before he was allowed to come in.

Ah okay, I have heard of The Terrifier but if I'm honest I'm a bit wimpy for horror movies which are actually scary. Give me a Troll 2 any day! I will add Mean One to our xmas viewing list!