Why do some people care about what others say about them?

[Ben]

My brother is sad because a girl on facebook is making fun of him and spreading
rumors. Why would he care? Why doesnt he just delete his facebook or not care about what others think? If people spread rumors about me i could care less.

[Tomboy]

It's most likely because he's concerned about his reputation. He probably doesn't want other people to believe the rumours or think that way about him. It sometimes depends on what the rumours are.

[deafeninglake987]

It is a combo of humans being pack animals, seeking validation of self by acceptance of the pack and the state that the adolescent brain is in during development.

Only those with a LOT of problems maintain this constant desire for approval by their peers after adolescence.

People under about 18 are still in the process of brain development... The brain is in chaos as it grows... Making the adolescent confused, uncertain, and with no idea what to think of themselves or anyone else...

Keep that in mind as both of you grow up.

[Katie]

It's not her not liking him that he doesn't like. It's the fact that she's spreading rumors that's not okay. He probably doesn't care what that one girl thinks, but he doesn't want other people's opinions (who he might care about) to change or for people to judge him based on what that girl is saying. I'm sure you would be very upset too. It can destroy your reputation and ruin chances of making new friends and possibly even being happy. Even if he deletes his facebook, she could still talk about him on there, and then he wouldn't even know what she was saying, which is worse in my opinion. I understand where he's coming from completely

[Sharon S]

I think we all like to be held in a good light. It is a shame that this person is doing what they are about your brother. There are people who are not very nice and it seems that this girl has proved my point. People who talk and make up rumors about others have very small lives. Let alone have friends.