Fear of Clowns
When you heard the word clown or see one, most of us think of fun and games. However, for many people the thought of talking about or seeing a clown is very frightening. It is also one many people don’t understand. After all, how can a clown hurt you? The fear of clowns can keep someone from attending a birthday party, parade, or other gathering. Of course, there are always a few dressed up as clowns for Halloween to deal with as well.
A fear of clowns is acknowledged by professionals as a phobia, the technical term being coulrophobia. Most people who experience a fear of clowns really can’t tell you why. It is a common myth that it has something to do with a bad experience they had with a clown in their life. It is commonly said it is something they suppressed or that they were too young to remember the event. A fear of clowns has been made fun of in cartoons including the comic A Rose is a Rose and the popular Simpon’s episodes.
A common theory of researchers is that someone develops a fear of clowns because they don’t trust them. This stems from the real face of the individual being covered up so you can’t see their true expressions. This would explain why so many with a fear of clowns fit the profile of someone who doesn’t trust easily and likes to be in a controlled environment that is familiar to them.
Further confusion and fear can escalate if you don’t have good self esteem. This is because you may view the clown’s behaviors as making fun on you individually rather than as a ploy to entertain the crowd. The exact number of people who are afraid of clowns is not known. Most people try to hide it unless they have a severe fear of clowns, and men are less likely to share it with others than women. Two men who have acknowledged their fear of clowns publicly are rapper P. Diddy and actor Johnny Depp.
Fear of clowns is real, so remember that if you come across someone who has one. They may not be able to express why, but respect it. Think of some fears and phobias you have and how you would feel if someone ridiculed you for it. Never force a child to come into contact with a clown. I am surprised by the number of parents who have done this, further traumatizing the child.
