Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns You May Have EphebiphobiaIs Ephebiphobia Rare?Is Ephebiphobia On the Rise?So, What Triggers Ephebiphobia Exactly?How Can My Ephebiphobia Be Treated?How Can I Cope With Ephebiphobia If I Have Teenage Children?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs You May Have Ephebiphobia

Is Ephebiphobia Rare?

Is Ephebiphobia On the Rise?

So, What Triggers Ephebiphobia Exactly?

How Can My Ephebiphobia Be Treated?

How Can I Cope With Ephebiphobia If I Have Teenage Children?

Ephebiphobiais the fear of teenagers or youth. It’s related to paedophobia, the fear of children, gerontophobia, the fear of older adults, adultism, a preference toward adults that’s biased against children, and ageism, which refers to discrimination against any age.

It’s derived from the Greek words ‘ephebos’ and ‘phobos’, which mean ‘youth’ and ‘fear,’ respectively.

The phobia is not recognized in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DMS-5),” but it could be diagnosed as a specific phobia if symptoms meet certain criteria.

People with ephebiphobia might avoid places where teenagers are likely to be and even struggle when it comes to relationships with family and friends, and it can have a serious impact on their lives.

To find out everything you need to know about ephebiphobia, from causes and triggers to how to cope, just keep reading.

According to Becky Spelman, PhD, psychologist and founder at thePrivate Therapy Clinic, the signs of ephebiphobia can vary, but she outlines four:

Symptoms may include the following:

Ephebiphobia is rare. While there don’t appear any statistics around ephebiphobia specifically, roughly 9.1% of people in the United States have a specific phobia,and there arelots of phobiasthat are more common than ephebiphobia.

Therefore, it seems logical that the phobia of teenagers is rare. Phobias that are more common include arachnophobia (fear of spiders), ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), acrophobia (fear of heights), and mysophobia (fear of germs and dirt).

While the phobia of teenagers itself is rare, one study published in 2021 looked at what the authors described as “the rise of ephebiphobia.” They said that it dominates “today’s cultural perceptions of youth in the United States and contributes to policies in education and law enforcement that have domesticated and criminalized young people, undermining their political power.”

However, it’s not a new phenomenon, with research from 1998 discussing the fear of youth. And more generally, while this doesn’t suggest ephebiphobia in itself, older generations have always complained about “the youth of today.”

How the Media Presents Young People

A paper from 2003 analyzed negative media representations of young people—in particular the regulation of young people’s space, and how they’re portrayed as “feared, out of control, and in need of regulation."

So, ephebiphobia isn’t common, but there is certainly a wider distrust or wariness of youth that has impacts on society as a whole.

“The causes of ephebiphobia are complex and can stem from various factors,” says Spelman, “Including personal experiences, cultural attitudes, and societal norms.” Phobias more generallycan developthrough a combination of your environment and your genetics—people who have a family history of phobias or anxiety disorders might have a higher risk of developing phobias, for example.

The following are among some of the most common contributing factors, however:

Ephebiphobia can be difficult to deal with—particularly as it’s difficult to avoid teenagers altogether. It’s just not practical.

In some ways, treating ephebiphobia is similar to treating any other phobia. As Spelman explains, it “typically involves addressing the underlying fears, biases, and misconceptions through education and exposure to positive experiences with teenagers.”

With a lack of knowledge and understanding being one of the primary causes of ephebiphobia, education is important. “Learning about adolescent development, psychology, and thechallenges they facecan help dispel misconceptions and reduce fear,” says Spelman.

Exposure Therapy

Then there’sexposure therapy. This involves gradual exposure to more positive experiences with teenagers and young people. You might speak to a friend’s teenage child, for example, or begin volunteering with a youth club or organization.

Or, you could try taking part in activities that involve teenagers. However, you might start with something smaller, like looking at pictures of teenagers, before you build up to real teenagers.

Consider the many famous teenagers, who defy many of the popular perceptions of teenagers. From climate activists to sportspeople to musicians and actors, there are many prominent teenagers who don’t fit the negative stereotypes.

And other forms of therapy are always an option. Spelman mentionscognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT), which she says can “assist in identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with more rational and positive beliefs.”

Of course, living with ephebiphobia will be particularly difficult if you have teenagers or pre-teens yourself. Spelman says, “If you have ephebiphobia and are a parent of teenage children or children approaching adolescence, it is essential to prioritize their well-being and foster healthy relationships.”

But, fortunately, there are things that you can do—and the earlier the better.

Educate Yourself

Educate yourself—again, learning about teenage development can be beneficial, and brush up on adolescent mental health and the challenges that young people face today. Spelman adds, “Cultivate empathy and understanding to build a stronger connection with your children.”

Self-Reflect and Speak Openly With Your Children

Self-reflectioncan also be useful. Look at your fears, and any biases you might have, and think about how they may affect interactions with your children, and your relationship with them more generally.

Open communication is also important, explains Spelman. “Foster open and honest dialogue with your children,” she says. “Listen to their perspectives, validate their experiences, and try to understand their point of view.”

Get Support

And seeking support becomes arguably more important when your own children and your relationship with them are brought into the equation. You might want to see a counselor or therapist to help you, as well as seek support from family or friends if you feel comfortable doing so.

What This Means For YouEphebiphobia can be difficult to manage and live with. However, there are things you can do to help yourself cope, and make life easier. Whether you decide to get in touch with a therapist or try another strategy, getting some form of help could improve your quality of life.

What This Means For You

Ephebiphobia can be difficult to manage and live with. However, there are things you can do to help yourself cope, and make life easier. Whether you decide to get in touch with a therapist or try another strategy, getting some form of help could improve your quality of life.

The Psychology of Fear

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

Walklate S.Crime and community: Fear or trust?.Br. J. Sociol. 1998;49(4): 550-569. doi:10.2307/591288

Pain R.Youth, age and the representation of fear.Capital & Class. 2003;27(2):151-171. doi:10.1177/030981680308000109

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