When horror is fun: horror as a development engine
On Halloween, the little ones are delighted by every monster we see on the streets and in front of our doors. The more terrible, the better. Would that be possible on any other day? No. Halloween simply gives children a great opportunity to explore their fears and take a step forward. Such controlled scares are an important part of healthy development and, in addition to Halloween, exist in many other small rituals for young and old. What is the fun of scares?
“So I can eat you better!” – The controlled thrill
The enjoyment of being scared is a phenomenon that can be found in children all over the world. In recent years, a number of ethnological and psychological studies have been carried out that have shown that what is known in risk research as "fear-loving" is found everywhere and is not pathological, but is a completely normal part of human life and development.
It is not for nothing that fairy tales are still so popular today and can be read out loud often. Wolves and witches eating kids, grannies and children, bellies cut open, girls and boys abandoned in the forest, poisoned apples: our children love it when the really scary parts get closer. The more often we read them out loud, the more certain the children are that everything will end well.
Adults also feel fear when they put themselves in an apparent danger that is not actually any danger at all - think of rollercoaster rides, horror films, skydiving and the like. The "kick" that comes from this is something that one or two readers may have already experienced.
For children, experimenting with their own fears is part of healthy development. Being scared every now and then is simply exciting, as long as it is done within a safe framework. When playing with thrills, children test the limits of their resistance to fear, according to the German child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim. And these limits shift more and more outwards as part of healthy development. With them, self-confidence, courage and confidence in one's own abilities grow. That is why they like to be tested regularly.
Fear is a healthy feeling
Fear itself is not a negative feeling, but an instinct that has always protected us from danger. It sharpens our senses and prepares us for appropriate action. Our heart pounds, our muscles tense up, our breathing becomes shallower and faster. The thrill sets in.
In everyday situations, fear prevents us from running into the street without looking or climbing where it is too shaky. It protects us from everything that the brain perceives as potentially dangerous. The decision whether to flee or face the fear must be made. Once the fear is overcome, a sense of relief sets in that is so pleasant that the fun of being scared actually seems quite logical.
Individual boundaries
It is important that the limits of fear, which are different for every child, are not exceeded. When it comes to the dose of horror, it is important to consider not only the age of the child, but also and above all the individual feelings. If the playful thrill turns into fear of death, permanent damage to the soul can occur. Children react to unresolved fears with avoidance behavior and excessive caution. And this in turn disrupts healthy development.
What can I say? Even if you try really hard, sometimes things go wrong: I once played a really good zombie with blood-crusted rags and a hole in my cheek, and I admit that my love of a certain series had made me quite familiar with the way these cute undead walk and make noises.
While the older ones were still running away from me, screaming and laughing, as I wobbled towards them, I quickly noticed when I aimed at the little ones that I came across as a bit too horrible. So I quickly got rid of everything that made me a zombie, comforted my horrified children and explained, drenched in sweat, that it was all just a joke. They are older now and can play zombies themselves quite well. I wisely don't give them any tips.
A pinch of fear tastes good every now and then
Depending on their age, children seek out the thrill themselves. They start to enjoy hide-and-seek more and more, they challenge themselves to little tests of courage and go into the dark cellar or climb up trees until the branches become thin beneath their feet. They pull down the shutters and play ghost trains in the dark room, lit only by the previously charged glow-in-the-dark stars that we made from iron-on beads on the ceiling. They look closely at the dead animal at the edge of the field and like to scare each other. All in the subconscious knowledge that the situation is controllable. Turn on the light, open your eyes, say stop, and everything is back to normal.
On Halloween night, when their voices are hoarse from the horrific gurgling and horrifying snorting and the makeup is washed off, the desire to haunt the exhausted monsters of the day drains away and they rejoice that their bed is not a coffin in a crypt, but warm and soft and full of sweet, peaceful stuffed animals . Until next year, when the undead awaken again and demand their toll of sweets.
Happy Halloween and happy scaring wishes you
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