Why are some people afraid of clowns? Is it a fear of the Joker, the clown prince of crime? Or is it a fear that Ronald McDonald is going to serve you a 600 calorie, fatty burger?
Coulrophobia, or the fear of clowns, is a common fear that is predominantly in Western societies. So what is it about clowns that makes people tick?
Scientists believe that coulrophobia stems from not knowing who lies behind the exaggerated makeup, red nose and crazy hair. A typical clown wears vibrant, colorful makeup in order to deconstruct the facial features and recreate a new one. Also, clowns are allowed to break social norms; a clown’s mask allows them to do things that others would consider taboo, such as interacting with an unknown person.
It is believed that coulrophobia cases increased during the 1990’s due to Steven Spielberg’s classic horror film, “It,” which portrays a murderous clown. Also, the Joker in Batman movies may have had some influence over the wide spread of coulrophobia. It is believed that the phobia develops in young children since they’re very attentive to a strange face in a well-known body. It’s also believed that the fear could stem from hospitals since some are known to use clowns as wall decorations, which could cause coulrophobic children, as they may feel uncomfortable during their hospital stay. Although coulrophobia develops mostly during childhood, it is common among many adults.
Coulrophobia can cause a state of panic, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, panic attacks, and difficulty breathing. Although the fear may seem absurd to some, many people suffer from it so much, that it prevents them from eating a hamburger at McDonald’s. At the end of the day, coulrophobia is not frivolous, and it should not be treated lightly.
