The phobia I am doing for this project is Oikophobia. and while it sounds like a fear of pigs. it’s actually completely different: the fear of household appliances. This covers a broad range of objects in a household from dishwashers. vacuum cleaners, clothes washers. ovens. and microwaves. It gives them a fear that prevents many from using the appliances (and while it would seem very good for a teenager or a child who doesn‘t want to do chores) this actually impacts people very harshly because it prevents them from doing the basic things in life such as.
washing their clothes. their dishes. even cooking for themselves. It leaves these people with very limited options for living by themselves and if they’re not wealthy. they may not be able to have an independent life. This phobia may seem funny because its definition basically describes all dogs. but it can prevent people from living on their own. and functioning in society properly.
While you may not like doing the dishes or laundry. it’s a fact that soon or later in life.
You’re going to need to have to do it for you and your children. Another aspect of this phobia is the fear of bathtubs. which is very costly because it prevents you from bathing and can result in limited social contact out in the real world. Basically. the only way a person can function without help with this phobia is being homeless. which is a very bad way to live life on its own.
So basically. while this phobia sounds like It‘s for dogs. and for kids who don‘t want to work. it‘s actually a real issue people face today and it’s something that terrorizes people daily. Next time you do the dishes or load the laundry, instead of complaining about the pain of doing the chore. take a moment to be thankful that you‘re not desperately afraid of the dishwasher. or the laundry. or that you‘re not amish. While this may not be a problem that occurs widely. the people that do have it have an option of never being independent. or going to a professional for help.