The Earwig Poem and Childhood Fears

A poem titled 'The Earwig,' purportedly by Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, serves as the launching point for a discussion about childhood fears associated with earwigs. The poem humorously describes the notion of an earwig burrowing into a person's ear, ultimately leading to a visit to the doctor due to its presence. Reflecting on personal experiences, the speaker shares childhood anxieties about earwigs, drawing parallels with typical childhood fears like monsters under the bed. This fear was taken seriously by his parents, especially his mother, who would check for earwigs, indicating the cultural acceptance of such fears among children of that era.