I was having this thought that I'd like to run past you guys.
Musing why it is that we like horror literature or films, I was wondering if it is because many of us probably live in relatively stable surroundings and therefore horror is one of many ways to experience something unusual.
But that in turn would suggest that people living in places where real-life horror is not unheard of or even common (e.g. war-torn areas) should not find horror-themed escapism as appealing as other folks.
Does that make sense?
Obviously, I'm generalizing and each person is different but I'm thinking about general trends.
What are your opinions?
I'd especially be interested to hear from people who experience (or have experienced) life in such places and (sadly) don't have to speculate but can provide a first-hand feedback.
ETA: After reading the 20 or so answers given so far, it looks like my assumption was just plain wrong!
I should perhaps add that I have worked with MSF in places you don't usually go for holiday (Haiti, DRC, CAR, South Sudan and others) but I never asked my local colleagues this question. Mostly, to be completely honest, because I didn't think of it at that time, but when the idea occurred to me I didn't want to risk re-traumatize people; basically, I didn't want to be an asshole. (I was doing administrative work in those projects, finance and HR, and don't have a medical or psychological background.)
But after reading those answers, I wonder whether some of my colleagues didn't perhaps read horror for similar reasons given here because in some of those places there certainly is even real-life horror and misery to cope with.