FINAL DRAFT
A Natural Fear Imagine an innocent, four year-old child walking in the park on a warm, summer day with his mother and father. The child then starts to cry endlessly at the sight of a disturbing, red haired figure. The child now has a disturbed, twisted view of life because of these creatures. These monsters of course, are clowns. There have been numerous studies across the nation that have have analyzed why clowns scare many children in this manner. Many preschools and children's hospitals have even banned images of clowns as a result of too many frightened children. In addition, many horror movies have portrayed clowns as psychopathic, murderers. The famous novel It, by Stephen King, also demonstrates a classic clown horror story. This frightening effect is something that has puzzled doctors and parents for many years now, and multiple causes have been brought forward. The children of today's society are deathly scared of clowns as a result of television, media, and a natural fright of these strange-looking creatures. Practically every single American has experienced an episode with a clown. Some have fond memories, and others remember being terrified and aghast. Why is this? For one, many of the children that are afraid of clowns are so because they have been influenced to view them in a negative light, “Parents teach kids to be afraid of stranger...that doesn’t really help the clown business” Perhaps some of the fear that exists within children is mainly an effect of the way that their parents react to them. Additionally, the article points out that “[Many] think it's just the cool thing to be afraid of” Of course there are those who really are terrified of clowns. This would obviously be the main cause of all the fear surrounding clowns. However, it seems that the contributory cause is that of which it is perceived as cool and contemporary to have a fear of them. When a child sees their friends or older peers being scared, it influences them to feel frightened as well. Noticeably, much of the fear from clowns stems from the influences all around the ‘scared’ individual. Clowns were first invented to bring fun and entertainment for kings and pharaohs of ancient times. Traveling English actors of the 17th century, such as Pickelherring, were responsible for the introduction of stage clowns to Germany. He and his clown costumes have barely changed to this day: oversized shoes, waistcoats, and hats, with large ruffs around their necks. Clowns have since then been used to enthuse little kids and rouse silly and funny hoaxes. But many children are afraid of them and there seems to be a deeper explanation as to why this is. According to Digital Journal, a study on children’s fear of clowns records, “All 250 children were patients of the hospital's children's ward. The poll concluded that all 250 patients disliked clowns, even the older children." The journal explains that movies and TV shows about evil clowns provoke this fear. Clown acts may also appear dangerous and violent so kids base their fear on this interpretation. In addition, a Wise Geek article explains, “This fear of clowns and mimes is called coulrophobia. It originates from the Greek Language where koulon means limb. This relates to the term ‘for those who use stilts’”. Coulrophobes’ fears can usually be brought on by a childhood incident with a terrifying clown and should eventually be overcome. Although many children are aware of clowns, some can still feel unsafe and unsure around them. Starting from a young age, children can develop Coulrophobia. Coulrophobia can cause certain symptoms such as shortness of breathe, irregular heartbeat, nausea and an overall feeling of dread . Physiologist have found that Coulrophobia usually begins at a young age and from there can lead to adulthood. Usually the fear of clowns begins with some sort of traumatic incident associated with clowns that took place during ones childhood. Many of the previously prevented causes shed light on the reasons why children are so deathly afraid of clowns. Some believe the main cause is a mental condition, while others believe it is affected by environmental conditions. While the main cause may very well never be proven, the facts have still been displayed, and these are at least contributory causes. Footnotes 1. Clowns are very scary to us all. 2007. The Economist. http://www.economist.com /blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). 2. Clowns are very scary to us all. 2007.The Economist. http://www.economist.com /blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). 3. Sarah Wilmak."Children Are Scared Of Hospital Clowns".Telegraph News, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573644/ Children-are-'scared-of-hospital-clowns'.html (acesed on 12-03-08) 4. WiseGeek, "What Is Coulrophobia". http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-coulrophobia.htm (acessed on 12-03-08) Bibliography Ellis-Christensen, Tricia. What Is Coulrophobia? WiseGeek Journal. http://www.wisegeek.com/whatiscoulrophobia.htm (acessed on 12-03-08)
Weigel, David. Clowns are very scary to us all. The Economist. http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/ clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). Wilmak, Sarah. Children Are Scared Of Hospital Clowns. Telegraph News. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573644/ Children-are-'scared-of-hospital-clowns'.html (acesed on 12-03-08) Woods, Ashley. Study Shows Children Fear Clowns. Digital Journal: 1-3. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/248959/Study_Shows_Children_Fear_Clowns (accessed December 4, 2008.) ROUGH DRAFT
Are these the partners? A Natural Fear Imagine an innocent, four year-old child walking in the park on a warm, summer day with his mother and father. The child then starts to cry endlessly at the sight of a disturbing, red haired figure. The child now has a disturbed, twisted view of life because of these creatures. These monsters of course, are clowns. There have been numerous studies across the nation that have have analyzed why clowns scare many children in this manner. Many preschools and children's hospitals have even banned images of clowns as a result of too many frightened children. In addition, many horror movies have portrayed clowns as psychopathic, murderers. The famous novel It, by Stephen King, also demonstrates a classic clown horror story. This frightening effect is something that has puzzled doctors and parents for many years now, and multiple causes have been brought forward. The children of today's society are deathly scared of clowns as a result of television, media, and a natural fright of these strange-looking creatures. Practically every single American has experienced an episode with a clown. Some have fond memories, and others remember being terrified and aghast. Why is this? For one, many of the children that are afraid of clowns are so because they have been influenced to view them in a negative light, “Parents teach kids to be afraid of stranger...that doesn’t really help the clown business” Perhaps some of the fear that exists within children is mainly an effect of the way that their parents react to them. Additionally, the article points out that “[Many] think it's just the cool thing to be afraid of” Of course there are those who really are terrified of clowns. This would obviously be the main cause of all the fear surrounding clowns. However, it seems that the contributory cause is that of which it is perceived as cool and contemporary to have a fear of them. When a child sees their friends or older peers being scared, it influences them to feel frightened as well. Noticeably, much of the fear from clowns stems from the influences all around the ‘scared’ individual. Clowns were first invented to bring fun and entertainment for kings and pharaohs of ancient times. Traveling English actors of the 17th century, such as Pickelherring, were responsible for the introduction of stage clowns to Germany. He and his clown costumes have barely changed to this day: oversized shoes, waistcoats, and hats, with large ruffs around their necks. Clowns have since then been used to enthuse little kids and rouse silly and funny hoaxes. But many children are afraid of them and there seems to be a deeper explanation as to why this is. According to Digital Journal, a study on children’s fear of clowns records, “All 250 children were patients of the hospital's children's ward. The poll concluded that all 250 patients disliked clowns, even the older children." The journal explains that movies and TV shows about evil clowns provoke this fear. Clown acts may also appear dangerous and violent so kids base their fear on this interpretation. In addition, a Wise Geek article explains, “This fear of clowns and mimes is called coulrophobia. It originates from the Greek Language where koulon means limb. This relates to the term ‘for those who use stilts’”. Coulrophobes’ fears can usually be brought on by a childhood incident with a terrifying clown and should eventually be overcome. Although many children are aware of clowns, some can still feel unsafe and unsure around them. Starting from a young age, children can develop Coulrophobia. Coulrophobia can cause certain symptoms such as shortness of breathe, irregular heartbeat, nausea and an overall feeling of dread . Physiologist have found that Coulrophobia usually begins at a young age and from there can lead to adulthood. Usually the fear of clowns begins with some sort of traumatic incident associated with clowns that took place during ones childhood. Many of the previously prevented causes shed light on the reasons why children are so deathly afraid of clowns. Some believe the main cause is a mental condition, while others believe it is affected by environmental conditions. While the main cause may very well never be proven, the facts have still been displayed, and these are at least contributory causes. Footnotes 1. Clowns are very scary to us all. 2007. The Economist. http://www.economist.com /blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). 2. Clowns are very scary to us all. 2007.The Economist. http://www.economist.com /blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). 3. Sarah Wilmak."Children Are Scared Of Hospital Clowns".Telegraph News, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573644/ Children-are-'scared-of-hospital-clowns'.html (acesed on 12-03-08) 4. WiseGeek, "What Is Coulrophobia". http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-coulrophobia.htm (acessed on 12-03-08) Bibliography Ellis-Christensen, Tricia. What Is Coulrophobia? WiseGeek Journal. http://www.wisegeek.com/whatiscoulrophobia.htm (acessed on 12-03-08)
Weigel, David. Clowns are very scary to us all. The Economist. http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2007/07/ clowns_are_very_scary_to_us_al.cfm (accessed December 3, 2008). Wilmak, Sarah. Children Are Scared Of Hospital Clowns. Telegraph News. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573644/ Children-are-'scared-of-hospital-clowns'.html (acesed on 12-03-08) Woods, Ashley. Study Shows Children Fear Clowns. Digital Journal: 1-3. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/248959/Study_Shows_Children_Fear_Clowns (accessed December 4, 2008.) Interesting word use and storytelling. Fix font of footnotes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||