Mathophobia, Reality or Laziness?

It seems as if whenever there is an unsolvable problem whether it be in math class, on a homework assignment many people choose to give up and declare, "I can't do this," or "I'm not good at math." From this anxiety, or lack of motivation, about math we get this thing called mathophobia. Math as a phobia? Are people legitimately scared of math? I think not. 
Rather I believe people are afraid of the outcomes that are associated with math, specifically the reaction they'll receive from their peers. Many people simply don't try in fear of being chastised because of a wrong answer. So the safer thing to do, rather than be wrong, is to not do the problem that way there is no way to receive any negative feedback. It is sad and I've seen it far too much as I'm sure there are others who have seen it. Its also sad how math has be gendered, meaning that many females feel it is something they simply "can't" do as if they are somehow genetically inept, you're not, you're very capable. 

I argue this point because people can't really be scared of math. We use math everyday whether we realize it or not. We may not be doing crazy calculations that consist of letters complex, invisible or indivisible numbers. But everyday we interact with numbers, at the gas pump, making change for purposes, shopping for clothes, obeying the speed limit, setting the thermostat, changing the channel, checking our bank accounts, making phone calls etc. Our entire day consumed with numbers. So why is it that when it comes to a math class with structured class times and real math problems that follow a # people seem to shutdown. It would be really ridiculous is someone said they had readophobia wouldn't it?

The culprit is laziness. For a good portion of my school years when it came to math class I just did the problems to get them done, not really taking in the process by which I came to the final answer. I assume many other students did the same. And I feel pretty confident with I have my fancy handy dandy trusty TI-84 calculator with me. But take it away and what happens? Suddenly we are stripped of our math skills, as if the possession of the calculator so how affects the ability to "do" math. But there in lies the problem we "do" math, what does that even mean? We don't "do" walking, or "do" reading, or "do" video games, or "do"sports. In any other activity we partake we build a base of knowledge and are always constantly learning newer, better ways to do something. But not for math.

No for math many just see a problem deem it as too hard and quit. The fear of failure is more powerful than so called fear of math. I said earlier that we are surrounded by numbers and we interact with them everyday, every minute. The way we interact with numbers has changed. When the bill comes after eating out at a nice restaurant, how many of you take your iPhone out or your cellphone, swipe to the calculator to figure out what a 20% tip would be on a $78.34 check? Technology while it has greatly improved almost every aspect of our lives has also desensitised our thinking and understand. We have to get back to the basics, we have to understand why 2+2=4, we have to understand the importance of zero, and what a fraction is. If we are going to be successful teachers and if we want our students to be successful we have to reverse this trend.

Mathophobia isn't a real thing, its only as real as we make it. There's no reason to be afraid of math, we shouldn't be afraid fail because that is the best way to learn. Once we realize this and get past the common pitfalls that are associated with math everyone will be better off.