Ghosting (relationships)

Ghosting refers to the act of breaking off a relationship (often used in the context of intimate relationships) by ceasing all communication and contact with the former partner without any apparent warning or justification, as well as avoiding and/or ignoring and refusing to respond in any way to the former partner’s attempts to reach out or communicate.

The term first appeared in 2014, but became versed in popular usage by 2015 via numerous articles on high-profile celebrity relationship dissolutions, and went on to being employed in common language with it being the subject of numerous articles and discussions on the dating and relationships in various media. It was included in the Collins dictionary in 2015.

Ghosting has been considered as being a type of behaviour that can be especially traumatic for those on the receiving end, due to the psychological effects of ostracism and rejection and those with low self-esteem can be especially vulnerable to negative emotional and psychological consequences as a result of it.

Ghosting has been considered as a passive-aggressive form of emotional abuse and a type of silent treatment or stonewalling behaviour by some mental health professionals, who view it as a form of emotional cruelty.

Ghosting has been described as a socio cultural behavioral trend which is on the rise. Various theories have been suggested as to why, but commonly it is believed that the prevalence of social media, dating apps and the relative anonymity and isolation in modern-day dating and hookup culture, has made it easier to behave poorly with little social repercussion. In addition, the more commonplace the behaviour becomes, the more individuals can become desensitised to it. Other thinkers have suggested that the rise is due to the decline of empathy in society, along with the promotion of a more selfish, narcissistic culture.

Ghosting is not limited to only intimate relationship contexts, but can also be carried out in other relationships such as between friends or even family members.

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Wikipedia