A recently released poll reveals Americans’ top 10 fears this year — and the results are fascinating.
At the top of the list? A fear of “corrupt government officials,” with nearly 61 percent of respondents in the Chapman University poll saying they are either “afraid” or “very afraid” of such individuals.
Perhaps that’s not too surprising considering we’re in the midst of a contentious election year dominated by claims of malfeasance, impropriety and scandal. Perhaps people fear being let down by their representatives and leaders, or they’re simply reacting to the situations they’re seeing unfold in the press this election cycle.
Either way, fears over the government didn’t end there, as more than 38 percent said they worry about laws restricting guns and ammunition — and more than 35 percent expressed fears about the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare).
In addition to government corruption, 41 percent of Americans said they are afraid or very afraid of a terror attack (more than 38 percent expressed fears about “terrorism” more broadly), with nearly 40 percent saying they’re worried about “not having enough money for the future.”
Some of the other fears that made the top 10 in Chapman University’s “Survey of American Fears?” More than 37 percent are afraid of economic or financial collapse and identity theft, with more than 38 percent expressing a fear of loved ones dying.
There were also some bizarre and comical fears outside of the top 10, including 10 percent of Americans saying they are afraid or very afraid of zombies — and nearly 9 percent who said the same about ghosts.
As for clowns, it turns out they scare nearly eight percent of the public. In a separate Vox poll, though, 22 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very afraid of clowns; fifty-three percent said they have no such fear.
The Chapman University survey included 1,500 Americans, asking respondents questions that fell into four categories: paranormal fears, natural disasters, personal fears and drivers of fear behavior.
See a complete list of Americans’ fears here.
(H/T: Daily Mail)