The Relationship Show with Dr. Wendy & Miss Jenni - ”Ghosting”: The Haunted Goodbye - ep. 11

2015-08-24

Episode 11 - “Ghosting” - the Haunting Goodbye Breaking up has always been hard to do – so is “ghosting” - the haunting goodbye - just a new way of doing the same old thing – you know, that conflict avoidant thing formerly known as bailing, ditching, or blowing someone off? Disappearing without a trace, ghosting is proving itself to be the newest trend in breaking off a relationship with no contact and no explanation. Current stats show women ghost more often than men, and that the majority of those under age 30 are using digital media to break-up with people - significant or otherwise. Breaking up face-to-face or even over a phone call is becoming as rare as the critically endangered Cross River Gorilla....

Episode 11 - “Ghosting” - the Haunting Goodbye

Breaking up has always been hard to do – so is “ghosting” - the haunting goodbye - just a new way of doing the same old thing – you know, that conflict avoidant thing formerly known as bailing, ditching, or blowing someone off? Disappearing without a trace, ghosting is proving itself to be the newest trend in breaking off a relationship with no contact and no explanation.

Current stats show women ghost more often than men, and that the majority of those under age 30 are using digital media to break-up with people - significant or otherwise. Breaking up face-to-face or even over a phone call is becoming as rare as the critically endangered Cross River Gorilla. So, what matters more – the message or the messaging system?

What do you do when being iced out with no closure? What’s the etiquette if you’re the ghoster or ghostee?

And does ghosting speak to a larger societal or generational trend? Or is this just human nature being played out on cell phones in the hands of old and young alike?

In this episode, Dr. Wendy and I are joined by Candace Dale Mackenzie (www.candacemckenzie.net) for a conversation about the psychology and impact of saying goodbye by going radio silent.

www.DoctorWendyOConnor.com

e: DrWendyOConnor@gmail.com

fb: https://www.facebook.com/askdrwendy

tw: @askDrWendy

www.JenniJVWilson.com

e: JenniferJVWilson@gmail.com

fb: www.facebook.com/JenniJVWilson

tw: @JenniJVWilson

Resources:

Modern Romance - by Aziz Ansari (with Eric Klinenberg)

http://book.azizansari.com/

Billie Holiday - These Foolish Things