Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns. For some, clowns are the stuff of horrific nightmares. The fear can be so strong that a simple picture of a clown can induce a panic attack.
Often used for entertainment at birthday parties and circus acts, clowns are supposed to do just the opposite - they're supposed to create a fun, humorous and happy environment. So why are some people deathly afraid of clowns?
6 comment(s):
I wasn't scared of clowns before, but now I might be...
My wife is afraid of clowns and she says she has been since she was a baby. Her mother backs her up on this. So in this case at least it seems most of the theories put forward don't cover it.
Rationally? Because circus/carnie people are notorious for being on the shady side, with drug issues and criminal records, and what could be scarier than having them dress up so you can't tell who they are and then leave them within reach of people's children?
Irrationally... anyone who covers up their face and then tries to manipulate your emotions? SCARY.
@Anonymous, what have circus/carnie people got to do with it? Most cases of Coulrophobia start in early childhood, well before such prejudice is ingrained. Indeed most kids early experiences of clowns are probably not connected to the circus at all, and it's interesting that coulrophobia is apparently much more common now than ever before. These days most kids experience clowns through their TV or maybe as party entertainers. I would have thought the number of people experiencing clowns at the circus is a very small percentage. As such it's very unlikely that the reputation of circus people has anything to do with it. Your rationale is not particularly rational.
I think it goes back to the jester. The jester had the power of satire which can deliver humor and humiliation.
Hmmmm... Three words "John Wayne Gacey" that explains it all.
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