We all heard stories about them when we were younger: Mythological figures whose sole duty was to spread joy and love and presents to people during special holidays, or sometimes just because. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Cupid, the Sandman—all delightful stories on the surface, especially to naïve, starry-eyed, trusting children.
Looking a little more closely at the folklore surrounding those myths when you grow older paints a less delightful picture. Santa Claus delivers toys to tots around the world, but he achieves his goal by watching people 24/7 and breaking into their houses at night when they're asleep, two things which will land any normal person behind bars. How can children love and revere a character so clearly blind to the basic rules of society and common courtesy? It's enough to make anyone anti-holiday.
In honor of the release of Rise of the Guardians this Friday, the animated film in which Jack Frost, Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Sandman join forces to defeat the evil Boogeyman, Complex looks at a few reasons why these characters are just as bad as the menace they're fighting in the film. You might wanna hide yo' kids for this one: Why Kids Should Actually Be Afraid of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Rest of Their Creepy Friends.
Written by Tanya Ghahremani (@tanyaghahremani)
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