Understanding Fear

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Fear is a feeling which all people have at some time or another. Fear can be based upon experiences which have shown that caution can be valuable, such as caution in crossing a busy highway. Fear can also be based upon some experience when we were young, such as a fear of spiders. Sometimes fear is hidden or masked by other feelings, such as anger. Adults sometimes show anger when they really are afraid that something bad might have happened, and yet they may be unwilling (or are afraid) to show that fear directly. Since we all have fears, adults can help children understand fears by showing that they, too, have fears. When children (and adults) see that some of the fears are not logical, they can better place them to rest. Children and adults can help each other understand and deal with their fears.

Sue Meyers
Family Sociologist

Originally published in July 1982

College of Human Ecology in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension Service

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