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[Hylas]

I was talking with my mother the other day, about fears and such things. It turns out mothers, but I think it's parents in general, have all a stock of hidden or repressed fears they usually won't admit to their own children. Talking to other persons that are mothers too, they will say almost the same things. So I started asking myself: what about fears based on age, role and status? A parent is a representative of a group of people with peculiar fears, about family, children, money, one of these in relation with the other two, etc. If the parent is a female or a male, that represents another element influencing the kind of apprehension you they have.
Do you think every person part of a group have standardized fears? I mean, do you think modern life as we live it also involves a certain degree of being afraid or anxious about something depending almost exclusively on what kind of life you have, what kind of social class you're part of, and so on? Are you supposed to be afraid of certain things according to your status excluding others? Are some fears useful to those speculating on them so they can target their "prey" with more ease and how?

I think about some of my own fears sometimes, and if I think really really hard, I can't say why I am afraid of such things. I am not talking about phobias, those are not rational fears. I am talking about average fears you have to face everyday. Sometimes I really wonder why I am so impressed by those things. I don't have an explanation and it makes me feel an idiot.

[amarant_coral]

I think I agree - the influences of the culture and experiences a group of individuals are opened to would invariably create a base set of fears and ideals for that group. I suppose if you asked a group of people from different backgrounds and generations about what they thought or believed, they would probably all come up with different answers, at least part of each of these answers being generic and applicable to a wider group with similar experiences behind them.

And you're right - if you try to rationally think about your own fears, it becomes very difficult to actually pinpoint why these things worry you. Try as I might, however, I haven't a clue why. Perhaps it's just the messages sent out by the media, or just the way in which certain events affect certain people. I really, honestly don't know.

So, in short, I'm pretty sure you're not an idiot.

[Meiko]

I think what you say is true, but if you can be rational about your fears it means you have them under control.

[Pu the Owl]

I am afraid of anything. Well, almost. Depends on the occasion. Where does it put me in your classification?

[MakgSnake]

Fear is just a part of our existence. It should be there. If its not then we will not appreciate safety in our lives. It doesn't matter what type of fear. I believe it just needs to be there, to live life better, to be a better person.

And yes I do believe that Fear changes according to what TYPE of life you live, even where you live. And every year as you grow old and things changes in your life, your fear does too. All this, for the betterment of your own self.

I could be talking non-sense here, but thats what I think. meh.