Who ghosts and why do they do it?
Ghosters come in all shapes and sizes.
Most men and women admit to being ghosted and ghosting others. People of all ages ghost and are ghosted.
One study suggests that those who hold a destiny belief (they believe that things are either meant to be or not)
are more likely to ghost while those who hold a growth belief (they believe that good relationships take work) will be most likely to face a break-up head on. Those with a destiny belief tend to think that ghosting is acceptable.
According to leadership consultant and psychologist, Jennice Vilhauer, PhD, of those who have been ghosted,
50% of them have also ghosted. She attributes this to a feeling of indifference that’s swept over the dating arena in the internet age. When we have a couple of choices, we hold them in great value. When we have 100’s of choices? We start to care a little bit less and an air of indifference can take hold.
According to Elate, the self-proclaimed
“anti-ghosting” app, Ghosters ghost for all kinds of reasons. Some of the main ones are:
They’re avoiding confrontation: the conversation ebbed and something was said that didn’t jive. Rather than deal with it, Ghosters prefer to move on.
They’re busy: things are going great but dating just isn’t always top of mind. By the time these Ghosters remember to respond, they say it’s too late.
They’re just bad at saying goodbye: These Ghosters simply would rather end the conversation because it’s easier for them.
For other Ghosters, it’s simply the most efficient way to end a romantic relationship that no longer serves you. Some Ghosters truly believe that, in today’s world, texting to end a romantic relationship is even more rude than
not saying anything at all.