This required research?

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Really?

LONDON (Reuters) - Bad news for Coco and Blinko -- children don't like clowns and even older kids are scared of them.

The news that will no doubt have clowns shedding tears was revealed in a poll of youngsters by researchers from the University of Sheffield who were examining how to improve the decor of hospital children's wards.

The study, reported in the Nursing Standard magazine, found all the 250 patients aged between four and 16 they quizzed disliked the use of clowns, with even the older ones finding them scary.

"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," said Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.

"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."


Huh.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison)

Comments

Justmatt said…
Yeah - this gets the big 'DUH' award. Clowns are ALWAYS scary - no matter how old you are. Matter of a fact - the one time I dressed like a clown I gave myself nightmares.
January 17, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Jack and Lexi's Mom said…
Dearest Matt, you were terrifed of E.T.!
January 17, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Justmatt said…
Dearest Jennifer - I still am.
January 18, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Anonymous said…
This comes as no surprise to me. I once had an eight year recurring nightmare about a clown. He kept asking me a question I didn't have the answer to. Finally, when I was 13 or so, I answered the question. He was pretty angry. But, I never had the dream again. Down with Clowns!
January 18, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Amy said…
What was the question?
January 18, 2008 at 1:01 PM
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