Why do people fear the Bogeyman?

By Linda Luo and Kaitlyn Liu

An eerily humanlike shadow in a darkened corner of the room. The mysterious scratches at the window that penetrate the silence of the night. Nightmarish figures that haunt your dreams the moment your eyelids slide shut. 

The words of your parents echo in your mind as you pray for morning to come.

“Beware… beware of the Boogeyman…”

What is the Boogeyman?

The legend of the Boogeyman dates all the way back to the 1500s, and it’s suspected that it originated prior to that time as a lesson from parents to disobedient children. The word “boogeyman” is thought to have been derived from the term, “boogey” or “bogey”, however, since this mysterious figure is so widely known, it is impossible to determine the exact origin of its story. This word has multiple definitions in different languages, yet one thing remains the same—each variation of this word points to an ominous meaning in its respective languages…  

Contrary to popular belief, the Boogeyman isn’t merely a monster. It represents the natural fears of humanity. In other words, the Boogeyman is the unknown—a monster from which countless people hide. It’s the universal being in which mankind has associated with the blood-curling thing called imagination. According to Urgyen Sangharakshita, a Buddhist teacher, people imagine to satisfy the concept that Buddhists refer to as dukkha, an unhappiness that all humans are born with. Therefore, since imagination and creativity are typically perceived to be a positive thing in both ancient and modern society, it brings up the question of why people would even conjure up something as wicked as the Boogeyman. 

The True Terror of the Boogeyman

Unlike most mythical monsters and creatures, the Boogeyman does not have set characteristics. It could range from a shapeless figure that haunts the dreams of children to a physical being that can drag young individuals to a place unknown. Perhaps this is what makes the Boogeyman so fascinating, yet terrifying—the fact that nobody knows that it looks like or what it does. The Boogeyman is essentially fear personified and the embodiment of this fear varies for every person. Therefore, the attributes of this creature is adjusted for every person to characterize the things one fears most. In a way, one’s worst fears really do come alive in this sinister being known as the Boogeyman. 

What is Fear?

According to psychologists, fear is a result of evolution. It is an emotion programmed into the survival instincts of humans to respond to danger. Everything from accelerated heartbeat to rapid breathing are responses the brain sends to the rest of the nervous system to protect oneself from danger. For example, fear can trigger an increase in blood pressure as blood circulates to various muscle groups in order to prepare an individual for physical activity, such as fighting or running. Since the beginning of time, fear has enabled humanity to survive, and as modern-day humans, we are the descendants of those very same survivors. Fear has evolved into a universal function to reduce harm and has taught humanity to be afraid, to protect themselves, and to find comfort in others. Therefore, it’s no surprise that humans begun to use fear as a method to teach lessons to society, giving rise to the legend of the Boogeyman. 

Thanatophobia, or the fear of death, is only natural since humans are born with the instincts to survive. Fears scare people into existing, surviving and behaving. Perhaps the Boogeyman is the epitome of evolution—every single fear in one. Undoubtedly, if someone was buried alive, they may forever be afraid of dark, cramped places. Likewise, if someone sees another human get shot, they may forever be cautious of guns. The Boogeyman has the same concept, just on a smaller scale. If someone grew up getting told that the Boogeyman will eat them alive if they didn’t behave, their natural instincts will make them cautious, if not scared of this hidden threat to their life.

Why the Boogeyman? 

As previously mentioned, there is simply no defined explanation or characteristics for the Boogeyman, therefore making the whole myth all the more terrifying. It takes on the fear of individuals, and it’s that terror that gives the legend power. The Boogeyman brings fear, however, with that fear comes a sense of caution and warning built into the instincts of humans from the beginning of time. When adapted into a warning, this fear can force compliance as one dreads the things that could happen otherwise.

Therefore, this creature—this frightening, elusive creature who has thrived in childhood memories—is no more than a bedtime story meant to enforce respectable behaviour.