THE SOCIOLOGY OF GASLIGHTING

This article by Paige L. Sweet argues that gaslighting, a psychological abuse tactic aimed at making victims feel “crazy,” is fundamentally a sociological phenomenon rooted in social inequalities, especially gender. It discusses how gaslighting is effective in power-laden intimate relationships, leveraging gender-based stereotypes, structural vulnerabilities, and institutional inequalities against victims. The study uses domestic violence as a case study to reveal how abusers mobilize stereotypes and institutional vulnerabilities to distort victims’ realities, undermining their autonomy and social supports. It calls for recognizing gaslighting as a critical area of sociological study to understand gendered forms of power and control in intimate relationships and beyond

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