"Underlying a lot of parents' fears is a broad sense of economic insecurity," she says. "Parents are afraid that their children won't have an easy go of it because they aren't having an easy go of it. Many parents today are struggling to make ends meet, and they want a different kind of future for their kids."
For example, fear-based parenting may include threats of a consequence if a child doesn't comply with their parent's wishes, such as a threat of: a time-out. spanking. having a toy taken away.
Parental anxiety is the feeling of worry, fear, and stress related to being a parent or caregiver. Triggers for parental anxiety include worries over a child's learning development, health, well-being, and relationships with others. Parental anxiety can cause a parent to avoid situations or have negative thoughts.
A fear-based approach sees behavior only and responds with an effective but damaging tactic. A respect-centered relationship takes the whole child into consideration--which includes the person that child will become as he or she matures.
People fear things or situations that make them feel unsafe or unsure. For instance, someone who isn't a strong swimmer might have a fear of deep water. In this case, the fear is helpful because it cautions the person to stay safe. Someone could overcome this fear by learning how to swim safely.
Situational phobias: These involve a fear of specific situations, such as flying, riding in a car or on public transportation, driving, going over bridges or in tunnels, or of being in a closed-in place, like an elevator. Natural environment phobias: Examples include the fear of storms, heights, or water.
(Note: There are five core fears, or “universal themes of loss,” that capture the basic interpretations of danger that we all make. They are 1) fear of abandonment, 2) loss of identity, 3) loss of meaning, 4) loss of purpose and 5) fear of death, including the fear of sickness and pain.)
Fear of loss is most likely one of the most prominent and powerful fears that is holding you back. The biggest fear of loss often stimulates negative emotions like anger that stop you from being the person you can be. Think of the last time you were angry and search for the fear behind it.
We are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. A 1960 study evaluated depth perception among 6- to14-month-old infants, as well as young animals.
Your list should include lots of situations, some that would be easier to face and some that would be harder. Sometimes we can have lots of different fears, so it can help to group similar fears together. For example, you may have a fear of heights and a fear of germs. Make a different list for each fear theme.
Social phobias are the most common type of fear. They are considered an anxiety disorder and include excessive self-consciousness in social situations. Some people can fear being judged so much they avoid specific situations, like eating in front of others.
