They are stories. Sometimes true, but mainly only believed to be true, they have been told over and over again always happening to a “friend” of a “friend.” Usually characterized by some combination of humor, horror, warning, embarrassment, morality or appeal to empathy, their goal is to teach a lesson. They are urban legends. One of the most notorious of them all is that of the babysitter and the man upstairs. As told in The …showed first 75 words of 382 total…

…showed last 75 words of 382 total…the early 1960’s. As stated on the Snopes webpage, the tale’s characteristics appear to associate with the insecurity felt by teenagers as they are required to undertake the increasing responsibilities of adulthood. The girl is not only left alone but also held accountable for the safety of the children. The phone, used as ironic symbolism, serves as her biggest threat, when in all reality, it is a teenage girl’s favorite way of socializing.