Trick-or-treating is holding this nation together.

No, seriously.

The beloved tradition — popularized by the likes of Charlie Brown and Walt Disney — is the fiber of our social fabric.

Have you ever pondered just how strange and wonderful it is that we, in America, send children out in the dark, cloaked in ominous garb, to knock on strangers’ doors and request sugary delights?

The very practice of trick-or-treating is the cause and effect of a high-trust society. It reveals that you have faith in your neighbors. That the streets feel safe enough for little kids at night. That togetherness trumps isolated activity.

The “Trick-or-Treat Test” is a rule of thumb in urban planning, used to determine the general health of a neighborhood. “Places that pass the trick-or-treat test have walkable, safe, connected streets, and closely-spaced homes that frame the street and are welcoming to passers-by.”

While the American suburb is likely the first image that comes to mind of an ideal trick-or-treating neighborhood, urban developments and rural main streets can offer similar, trustworthy spaces for such festivities. The key is a porch, an entryway — a place that bridges the gap between public and private — a place that is lit up, decorated, welcoming.

Whether you’re out with your kids tonight or welcoming children at your stoop, take pride in participating in a great American tradition.