List of moral panics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of events that fit the sociological definition of a moral panic.

In sociology, a moral panic is a period of increased and widespread societal concern over some group or issue, in which the public reaction to such group or issue is disproportional to its actual threat. The concern is further fueled by mass media and moral entrepreneurs. Moral panics may result in legislative and/or long-lasting cultural changes in the societies where they occur. The concept was first introduced into the field of sociology by Stanley Cohen in his 1972 book and has since been expanded by other researchers.[1][2][3] Moral panics are different from irrational hysterias.[4]

title concern causes suggestions location time refs
Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire Threat to public order and religious traditions Rejection of imperial cult, accusations of cannibalism and incest [clarification needed] Roman Empire AD 64-313 [5][6][7]
Blood libel The false idea that Jews engage in the kidnapping and murder of gentile children [clarification needed] [clarification needed] Europe [clarification needed] [8]
Witch-hunts That some individuals with supernatural powers, "witches", were causing harm to people in their communities Unsubstantiated rumors and accusations of witchcraft [clarification needed] Europe, North America Middle ages to the 1700s [9][10]

19th century

title concern causes suggestions location time refs
Anti-Catholic panic That Catholics were conspiring against American interests Increased immigration of Catholics to the United States, pre-existing anti-Catholic attitudes, political tension between the U.S. and European powers [clarification needed] United States 1840s, 1850s [11][9]
Garrotting panics Robberies involving the practice of garroting Media coverage of garroting robberies United Kingdom, United States 1860s [12][13]
Dime novels panic That dime novels were pushing the brains of younger people too much Popularization of dime novels among the youth, increased media coverage among Puritians United States 1870s–1890s [14]
White slavery scare The prostitution of White women Allegations regarding the prostitution of White women by private businesses, release of Traffic in Souls United Kingdom, United States 1880s (UK), early 1900s (US) [15][16]

20th century

title concern causes suggestions location time refs
Comic book panic That comic books were negatively influencing young people Popularization of comic books among the youth, publication of Seduction of the Innocent [clarification needed] United States 1930s–1950s [17][18]
Sexual psychopath panic Child sexual offending by "sexual psychopaths", a contested psychological category of sex offenders[19] Sensationalistic media coverage of child sex crimes United States 1930s–1950s [19][20]
Homosexual panic That homosexuals were trying to "promote homosexuality" to society, including children [clarification needed] United States, United Kingdom 1950s–1990s [21][22]
Lavender scare That homosexuals were conspiring against American interests Societal tensions during the Cold War, the belief that homosexuals were sympathetic toward the Soviet Union United States 1950s [16][19]
Television panic Addiction caused by minors watching television Popularization of TV among the youth, widespread fears around television Global 1946-1960s [citation needed]
McCarthyism Communist infiltration and subversion in the United States government, Hollywood, etc. Red Scare during the Cold War United States 1947–1959 [citation needed]
Mods and rockers panic Hooligan activities by the two youth groups Sensationalistic media coverage of the conflicts between the groups United Kingdom 1960s [23][2]
War on drugs Drug trafficking and consumption Increase of drug consumption in society, media alarmism Global 1970s–present [4][24]
Sex offender panic Child sex crimes perpetrated by sex offenders and pedophiles Reoccurrence of high-profile child sexual abuse scandals United States, United Kingdom 1970s–present [25][26][20][27]
Violent video games panic That video games were influencing children into committing violent acts Popularization of violent video games among the youth, discredited psychological theories about games United States 1970s–1990s [28][29]
Mugging panic Muggings in public streets, especially by young Black males Media alarmism, 1973 Birmingham mugging attack United Kingdom 1970s [30]
Satanic panic That supposed Satanic cults were engaging in child sexual abuse rituals Unsubstantiated Satanic ritual abuse rumors and allegations, tabloid journalism United States 1980s [31][32]
Missing children panic Child abduction by strangers in public places Murder of Adam Walsh, media sensationalism United States 1980s [30][33][34]
Dungeons & Dragons panic That some RPG table-top games, especially D&D, were leading young people into drug use and Satanism Popularization of mythical-themed role-play games, Christian and BADD activism,[35] other controversies United States 1980s [36][37]
Day-care sex-abuse hysteria That some day-care centers were engaging in Satanic child sexual abuse Increased usage of day-cares among employed women with young children United States 1980s–1990s [38][39]
AIDS panic AIDS dissemination, particularly by gay men AIDS pandemic of the 1980s, Conservative activism Global 1980s–1990s [40][41]
"Wilding" panic Physical and sexual assaults in public streets by ethnic youth gangs Rape of Trisha Meili, media sensationalism United States 1989–1990s [42][43]
Dangerous dogs panic Dog attacks against humans, especially by pit bulls Sensationalistic media coverage of dog attacks United Kingdom late 1980s–1990s [44][45][46]
Harry Potter panic That the book series was leading children into witchcraft and occultism The novels' themes of magic and witchcraft, anti-occult activism against the series United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia 1990s–2000s [47][1]
Internet moral panic The dissemination of legal and illegal pornography on the internet, online criminal activities Popularization of the Internet, media sensationalism Global 1990s–2000s [48][49][50][51]
School shooting panic School shootings Increased media coverage of school shooting cases[52] United States 1990s–present [53][54]
Y2K bug panic That the world would end on New Year's Day 2000 and computers would malfunction [clarification needed] Global 1990s–2000 [55]

21st century

References

Sources

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI