If your children are misbehaving, you might find an unusual solution in Florida: hiring a professional clown to frighten them into submission. Meet Frightful Frank, a clown who embodies your worst nightmares. With a haunting mask featuring hollow eye sockets and drooping skin, Frank offers his services for parties or just to instill fear in children. Despite his chilling appearance, he insists he’s just a typical clown.
A Desperate Solution
In a recent interview, Frank shared a story about being contacted by a mother desperate to discipline her rebellious 12-year-old son who had a fear of clowns. For a few hundred dollars, she enlisted Frank’s help. He recounted how he positioned himself across the street from the boy’s bus stop, causing the child to burst into tears and run home. The mother later thanked Frank, stating that now, whenever her son misbehaves, she simply asks, “Do you want Frightful Frank to come back?” Let’s hope she’s setting aside funds for therapy!
Internet Sensation
This isn’t an isolated incident; Frank frequently receives requests to scare children into better behavior and has become somewhat of an internet sensation. With numerous photos and videos of him lurking in unexpected places, he even has a dedicated Google Plus page showcasing his eerie sightings.
Bringing Scary Back
At 65 years old, Frank, who prefers to keep his real name private, is puzzled by the attention he receives. In his conversation with the media, he expressed his intent to “bring scary back,” criticizing other clowns for merely twisting balloons into shapes. He reminisces about a time when it was acceptable to frighten children, lamenting that today’s youth are “whiny and scared.”
The Risks of Fear-Based Discipline
While some may find Frank’s antics entertaining, it raises serious concerns about using fear as a discipline method. The fear of clowns, known as coulrophobia, is prevalent among children. A survey by the University of Sheffield revealed that all of the 250 children interviewed either disliked or feared clowns. For those children, hiring someone like Frightful Frank could lead to severe anxiety, nightmares, or distressing reactions. While it may deter a child from mischief in the short term, it doesn’t foster respect or healthy boundaries.
For the Brave
On the other hand, if your kids enjoy pranks and aren’t afraid of clowns, Frank could be a quirky addition to your next gathering. Just make sure he doesn’t have access to any sharp objects.
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Conclusion
In summary, while Frightful Frank may provide a chilling solution to misbehavior, employing fear as a disciplinary tactic can have long-lasting negative effects. It’s essential to consider healthier ways of instilling respect and boundaries in children.