Thursday

Xenophobia: Fearsome phobias from A to Z




Who’s afraid of newcomers, outsiders, and other individuals who may seem alien or unknown? Certainly, many are legitimately leery, and their stance may fall into the realm of smart safety awareness. But some people are truly terrified of any persons they do not know.



Xenophobia is the fear of strangers.

The word comes in part from the Greek word “xenos,” which means “stranger” or “visitor.”

Specifically, xenophobia pertains to a severe fear of foreigners, although the term may apply to those who are afraid of anyone unfamiliar. In plenty of cases, xenophobia may be attached to a sense of stranger danger, while in others it may arise from actual traumatic experiences involving unrecognized people. For some, this phobia may have no known origin at all.

Xenophobia is a fairly common fear, so it’s fair to say this phobia of strangers is not so strange at all.

 
Image:
A to Z Blogging Challenge promo logo – fair use
Graphic adapted from public domain image

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