Do you fear because you are afraid, or because you are told to be afraid?

Question

Do you fear others who appear different because they pose an actual threat to you, or because you are told that they pose a threat to you?

And if so, what are you afraid of?

There's some amazing answers here- thank you!

Answer 1

It is within human nature to fear the unknown. However, fear is very much a cultural (and usually political) construction. There's a book, actually, called "The Culture of Fear" by Barry Glassner. I haven't read it yet, but I've spoken to trusted sources who have and they say it is pretty good. It explains how fear is used as a political tool, which is slightly scary in and of itself.

How would you know if different "others" posed an actual threat to you? You might if they had a bomb, or a gun or something, but then you wouldn't be fearing them so much because they're different, but because of their weapon and supposedly violent intent. We're told to fear different "others." Not so much directly as indirectly. Racial profiling, what the news reports and what it doesn't, what government spokespeople say and how they present their policies, etc. all contribute to indirectly telling us, as a society, what we should fear.

I, for one, cannot think of a fear I have that is NOT culturally and politically influenced. For instance, my occassional fear of the dark is very much a cultural thing. Perhaps my fear of drowning is an actual fear of my own, without influence, since I am not afraid of death in itself, which would be a cultural construction.

Hope some of this helps to answer your question. Feel free to contact me if you want any more clarification.

~ FR

Answer 2

This question is perfect for a xenophobophone.

I used to fear people mainly because I was given subtle and not so subtle parental direction that "people" would not like us (the family) or me (by association of problems these shy people imagined were seen in family.) Both my parents were timid people with minor cognitive impairments. Later on in life, I chose fear as a means to avoid finding out the truth and being rejected on top of all the actual rejections someone like the way I was had been receiving, so I don't really fear much unless it's related to physical health conditions or worries for care of family members, etc. (parents.)

But yes, I am still somewhat afraid to be around groups of likeminded individuals who dislike entire other groups of people on basis of factors they cannot immediately help...I'm afraid they'll see what is different between them and me, then judge, then block me out of community resources and friendships, etc. Because it's actually happened on numerous occasions in the past when people didn't like what is different about me or my family and didn't think my hard work should earn me a place they wanted themselves, and also because I expect it from years of being told it would, even SHOULD, happen.

I don't know if I explained this very well, the way I actually mean it. Will elaborate later if necessary.

Answer 3

We are not in kindergarten. I think we can figure out who poses a threat ,and what others do you refer? Black, Arabs ,Chinese, Mexican, Irish , Italian etc were all different? I know who I feel afraid or uncomfortable with , Don't you?

Answer 4

I do not know how to feel fear, unfortunately. Or if I do, I have yet to be afraid of anything. Having lived eighteen years and experienced two situations where I could have and probably should have died, I dare to say I have evidence to back up my otherwise unbelievable answer.

Answer 5

Belive it or no longer i'm maximum affraid of letting human beings into my heart i'm even to affraid to enable my own husband in. I rather have had a undesirable life and that i've got positioned up a barrier to steer clear of myself from getting harm back it extremely is my worst irritonal worry my worst rational worry is spiders and sankes

Answer 6

I'm not afraid of anybody!!!! No body is a threat to me.

Oh wait I take that back......... I am afraid of God.... I don't feel he is a threat because he is everything to me..... but he could definetly make my life miserable if he really wanted to.

Answer 7

"Others who appear different" is too non-specific. In the United States, we are not taught to fear people who look different... we are taught to fear people who are not white or look poor.

Also, I think it is more to correct to say that individuals feel most comfortable around people who are the most like themselves. This is different from saying that individuals fear others who are the least like themselves.

Answer 8

I think Winston Churchill put it will when he said, "there is nothing to fear but fear itself". I think we would fear less if we would trust God more. I know that is easier said than done though but would save us alot of worry. Anyway, interesting question, thanks for making me think at 6:18 am when I should be sleeping LOL.

Answer 9

Strange---we have hundreds of brave and strong girls enlisting in the military to fight for freedom.
Yet, we have some "men" who are frightened to death of the draft. This country is raising some sissy-boys. (I guess the girls will have to protect them.)

Answer 10

often, i'm afraid because pipol tell me to be afraid. later, i realize there is nothing to be afraid of... just like wat happened recently in my biology class. we were assigned to bring a frog (each gr0up). when my fwend told me that they brought the frogs, my female classmates freaked out... because of this, i also became afraid. then the teacher told us that in each group, one should transfer the frog to a glass bottle, all of my female classmates screamed. especially in my group where all are girls... i thought 'why am i afraid of a frog?.. i'm bigger so why sh0uld i be frightened?'... i took the frog and put it inside the glass bottle... afterwards, i congratulated myself... (",)