Shame-mongering

Shame-mongering is the act of deliberately inciting feelings of shame, guilt, or humiliation in others, often for manipulative or political purposes. It involves exploiting societal norms, personal insecurities, or past actions to publicly condemn, discredit, or control individuals or groups. This practice typically involves exaggeration, distortion of facts, or the selective use of information to paint a negative picture. The ultimate goal of shame-mongering can range from silencing dissent and enforcing conformity to inciting social division and undermining reputations. It frequently preys on vulnerability, leveraging fear of social ostracization and judgment to achieve its aims, frequently done to damage an opponent or push a particular agenda.

Shame-mongering meaning with examples

• The political campaign engaged in blatant shame-mongering, repeatedly highlighting minor past transgressions of their opponent to erode public trust. They used sensational headlines and carefully edited video clips to create a climate of public condemnation and influence the upcoming election, which lead to significant reputational damage. The goal was to make the opposing candidate seem corrupt or untrustworthy.
• Online trolls often employ shame-mongering tactics to harass and silence dissenting voices. They attack individuals' character, make accusations of bad intent, and disseminate personal information to incite public outrage. The anonymity afforded by the internet emboldens such actions, fostering an environment of intimidation that discourages open debate, and can destroy an individual’s character.
• The media's relentless coverage of a celebrity's past mistakes could be seen as shame-mongering. The constant focus on the missteps, amplifying the negativity, and ignoring any positive contributions served to fuel a culture of public humiliation and destroy an individual’s mental health and lead to significant suffering.
• Some social justice advocates are accused of engaging in shame-mongering when they publicly denounce individuals perceived as holding 'incorrect' views. This tactic, often involving social media call-outs and public shaming campaigns, creates a chilling effect on open discussion and debate, as it discourages people from expressing certain opinions.
• A parent might engage in shame-mongering by excessively criticizing a child's failures, creating an environment of anxiety and low self-esteem. This can be seen when a parent constantly uses guilt-inducing statements, which are designed to manipulate behavior rather than providing genuine support and guidance in order to mold a child to meet their needs.