Fear Of Friday The 13th

Although most of us would probably affirm that the superstition’s role in Western culture is now a much diminished one, more a source of amusement than anything else, there are still those who allow their trepidation over particular days or dates to present them from engaging in the choice of activities. 

We may make jokes about Friday the 13^th and only kiddingly instruct loved ones to exercise greater care on that day, but those who suffer from a fear of the number thirteen (triskaidekaphobia) or a fear of Friday the 13^th (paraskevidekatriaphobia) may genuinely feel limited by the rumored potential for ill luck connected with the date.  Most people now attribute Friday the 13^th to movies set in or around Camp Crystal Lake where legend has it a young boy (Jason) is attending camp and drowns in the lake.  His screams of help fall upon the deaf ears of the partying counselors.  Jason returns from his swampy grave to seek vengeance for them allowing his untimely death.  As Americans continue to love to be frightened, this superstition will remain a day that will be mentioned and recognized as a day of bad luck for a very long time to come.