Gossip: Where it Comes From, Why We do It—And is it Actually Bad?

Graphic by Kaci Kopf

In a world of constant information and updates–news reports, social media, even the weather–is gossip bad? Many have come to believe that gossip is a no-good form of communication, clouded by misinformation and judgment. Historically, however, this seems to be far from the case.

Gossip can be traced back to ancient Greece, where people would rely on idle communication to figure out who was trustworthy within their social networks. Other prehistoric communities used gossip as a way to hear more about potential mates, catch up with old friends, and hear about what was going on in the community. 

Here is a fact that might surprise you–gossiping is good for your mental well-being! The act of gossiping releases hormones like oxytocin and serotonin allowing emotional connections to form. Venting can also cause a person to release feelings of anxiety and stress. Additionally, telling personal stories to one another evokes empathy and understanding between individuals. 

So, if gossiping is a way of valuable communication and it has mental health benefits, why is it perceived as a bad thing? Well, long story short, it has to do with the patriarchy. As gossiping is an action stereotypically performed by women, over time men became gradually more suspicious about their female counterparts in their community becoming “too informed” through gossip. Ultimately, men did not like their wives airing out the inner workings of their relationships to their friends. In fact, during the 16th century, women were restricted to their homes and prohibited from meeting together to ‘babble’. Due to these restrictions, female friendships became a target for punishment and, in some cases, witch trials.

Social Psychologist and Professor at Knox College, Francis McAndrew states, “It’s not that women gossip and men don’t, but they gossip differently and they’re interested in different kinds of gossip.” McAndrew goes on to say that women tend to prefer indirect aggression, hence gossip, whereas men lean towards physical confrontation to resolve issues. 

According to McAndrews, “If the information is power, gossip can be one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.” Gossip has played a large role in helping women fight back against injustices, allowing for network formation through non-traditional channels of communication. Today, women in the #MeToo movement use gossip to communicate and support one another, establishing an environment that supports the courage they need to fight back against abusers. 

Today, gossip is still perceived negatively amongst a majority of society as a result of the past. People assume gossip exists as another form of bullying and talking behind people’s backs, but that is a small sector of gossip we do not endorse. Gossiping is simply a form of communication between individuals—it can present as light chatter or a relieving vent. When it starts to become a form of dragging others down, rather than using it as a form of spreading information, is when we prove years of patriarchal oppression to be correct. So instead, keep it positive and informative like it’s intended to be, and be kind to one another!

To read more about the history of gossip and its positive benefits click here!