Did you hear that our writing instructor is a "Lesbian Communist"? This simple rumor probably came from a disgruntled student who misunderstood a simple statement. A lot of times nasty gossip is started simply from a misunderstood statement or a secret that is not so secret anymore. Secrets are supposed to be kept secret, yet they almost always seem to get out. When secrets get out, they usually become rumors. We entrust our friends with our most personal thoughts or stories, and most of the time they become rumors. In this essay I would like to talk about why we gossip, and why is it such a big part of our lives. .
For girls, (who obviously gossip the most) the main reason for gossip, is if being friends with those of high status is a way to gain status for yourself, how are you to prove to others that a popular girl is your friend? One way is to show that you know her secrets. But on the other side of the coin the reason a boy is less likely to scavenge for gossip and distribute his findings is that he has much less to gain by it. A boy's main access to status is less a matter of whom they are close to than of their achievements and skill, primarily at sports, and their ability to prevail in a fight (even though older boys are mainly talk and younger boy's are mainly infantile action).
Our decisions about how to act in the presents of our friends are influenced by what we think others would say about us. Having decided; we hide, adjust, or display our behavior to prevent criticism and ensure being praised. A bad rumor about a female may get her ostracized by her friends for a month and a half, while if a male doesn't like the treatment he is getting he is more liable to leave the group of friends. Males see personal conflict as: everybody hates to have anybody know that they have problems. The males always try to keep their problems to themselves. .
Girls and women, more often than boys and men, are willing to take the risk of sharing their feelings.
