Posted on 10/27/2005 4:34:09 PM PDT by Kjobs
It is the adults who should be afraid this Halloween. Not of ghouls and goblins, but of permanently scarring their children.
In a recent study of six- and seven-year-olds in the Philadelphia area, Penn State psychologist Cindy Dell Clark found that most parents underestimate just how terrifying the holiday can be for young kids.
Halloween has been scaring the heck out of kids of all ages for centuries.
Two thousand years ago, Celts living in what is now the United Kingdom celebrated their new year at the end of October. During these days of transition from the end of summer harvest to the beginning of winter, spirits were thought to roam among the living.
The modern customs of candy and costume are rooted in medieval England. To avoid being recognized by the visiting spirits, people would dress up in masks whenever they left home. Bowls of food were placed outside to keep the ghosts happy. The practices have morphed into Halloween as it is known today, with parents encouraging their own little ghosts and goblins to haunt the neighborhood.
There have been few studies to examine how the holiday affects children. Child psychologists generally caution parents that the fright of some aspects of Halloween can be too much for the very young, and advise adults to keep a close eye on children and remind them of what is real and what is not.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Heather dear....get a grip and by the way:
Happy Halloween!!!
Well, I guess this means we all grew up scarred. You would think we would have noticed before now.
..every year the study this,it's scary they spend the money.
Doogle
BOO!
Parents, it is pretty easy to work this out. You know your own child. Keep with cute costumes and candy for the little ones, steering them past any scary displays. You can also have a tremulous tot stay home with one parent and hand out candy, or even go to bed early. Once the kids start WANTING to be scared (this WILL BE OBVIOUS), and dress up scary, they will let you know. Oy vey.
Keep 'em home and let 'em watch Robot Cop.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
-PJ
There was that one homeowner who played her part just a tad too well - spooky candles and strange music in the entryway - but how could anyone be so stuck-up as to psychoanalyze Halloween?!
It's *meant* to be scary.
I think what scares most children is sick videos and photos that are shown now with total abandon on NETWORK NEWS. As an adult, I'm much more offended now by tv news than ever before.
Halloween is nothing in comparison.
Apparently it's too much to expect anyone nowadays to confront, deal with and overcome their fears. Criminy, we're turning into a nation of wimps!
Xena, changed your costume a bit?
Yes, the world is the scary thing. let kids be kids. Little costumes that are darling and carrying little bags for their Trick or Treating. It's cute. It's fun. It's Halloween and...it's HERE TO STAY!!!
April 15!
These kids need to be told to "Man up, Nancy!"
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