According to the dictionary, gossip is defined as idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal and private affairs of others. Further, gossip is known to be one of the oldest and most general methods of transmitting facts (unconfirmed) and views. In addition, the term gossip stems from Old English godsibb, which means godparent. During the 16th century, gossip referred to a woman who thrilled in idle talk, or a snitch. However, at the start of the 19th century, the word expanded from the talker to the conversations held by such persons. Also the initial appearance of the term can be located in Shakespeare.
With an existing definition of this sort and the history surrounding the term, it is understandable why individuals view gossip as petty, harmful, and socially unproductive. In other words, its is perceived as a negative and does not provide any benefits. Yet this is in fact not true at all.
The American popular culture has become deeply involved and saturated with gossip in society. Gossip is positive and is culturally as well as socially useful and resourceful. It serves to strengthen bonds within society, it acts as a tool for teaching and learning, and it also provides entertainment.
Gossip is a useful mechanism for strengthening the bonds between people in society. According to anthropologist Dunbar, gossip is an important form of communication. It assists in easily establishing bonds by demonstrating to others that we trust them enough to share information with them. Not only is there information shared to others about others, but there is also a possibility of an individual sharing information in relation to their self. Essentially, there is a social relationship between the hearer and the teller that is formed or simply toughened as they engage in a conversation whereby information is transmitted.
Check out this interesting form of bonding from movie Mean Girls at the link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fLNciN7bRA
Another positive aspect of gossip is its role in the process of teaching and learning. Society’s aspiration to gossip is understood once examining our evolutionary past. In regard to natural selection, individuals were forced to learn as much information as they possibly could that involved other individuals within their social networks. Being informed about members in our networks ultimately helped us avoid potential risks. Gossip provides useful information to the hearer about culture and society. By becoming aware of the mishaps of others, we learn how avoid the same mistakes and eventually how to avoid the same consequences. According to the view of cultural learning, gossip can be valuable regardless of whether or not the target is portrayed positively or negatively.
After the alleged beating of Rihanna at the hand of Chris Brown, and the never-ending gossip to accommodate it, MTV news aired a special on the two megastars titled Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble. This special consisted of experts and young people discussing domestic violence, thus bringing awareness to young people worldwide.Sociologist Gary Fine states that children begin to engage in gossip almost as soon as they can talk and realize the significance of other people. Gossip is embedded in our social instinct. In the past, we were drawn to gossip because it kept us informed about the lives of others within our social network. Today in America, our social network is much bigger and our survival is less dependent on our networks. Nevertheless, our instinct to gossip is just as strong and maybe even stronger. This is apparent in the loads of media outlets we intake on a daily basis. Gossip has become a form of entertainment for the American culture with existing gossip websites, gossip magazines, gossip television shows, gossip radio, gossip columns in newspapers, and even gossip in politics.
(Popular television show & one of MANY gossip magazines)
(TMZ- popular gossip website & television show)
Without gossip, there would be weakened social bonds, less awareness or lessons learned, and no good form of entertainment. So, it is should come as no surprise why gossip is a trend enmeshed in American popular culture, for it is positive and beneficial.
But wait a second; wouldn’t this very post be an example of gossip? And yet, I bet you have learned something!
But wait a second; wouldn’t this very post be an example of gossip? And yet, I bet you have learned something!
Sources
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