Jealousy runs deeper than you think. As a rule, envy is studied within the same gender or focuses on superficial competition. However, when considered between men and women, it has deep sociological and biological roots. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined how men and women envy each other. Through this study, the authors discovered a new form of envy called “ablative envy,” which involves envying a person who is free of the burden the envious person wishes to be freed from. Let’s see how researchers have defined envy between men and women.
Female envy
Every woman has once pretended to want to live the day as a man, to go out without sending her location to her friends for safety, or to get home on time.
Researchers have found that women often envy men because of their perceived social privileges and biological advantages. Societal privileges include higher wages for men, better career opportunities, and freedom from societal expectations about appearance. Many women also believe that men can lead a simpler, less stressful life, free from the burden of housework and child care.
There are also biological and physical aspects of envy, such as women envying men for their lack of periods, monthly cramps, difficulty in childbirth, and even men’s brute physical strength. When it comes to aging, women bear the brunt of societal scrutiny, making them jealous of men’s freedom from such judgments. Envy also reflects the societal roles imposed on men and women.
READ ALSO: How to deal with reverse jealousy in a relationship? Check out the signs and tips on how to deal with it
Male envy
Men feel that women have it “easy” with their “attractive privileges”. They envied women’s grace, beauty, and the social advantages associated with their attractiveness. They envy women for their ability to use beauty and charm to influence others, and for their freedom to express emotions openly without public condemnation. Men admired women’s ability to seamlessly juggle multiple responsibilities. In addition, many men envied the unique ability of women to bring new life into the world.
READ ALSO: Flirt with others to make your partner jealous? Beware, it backfires terribly: study
Ablative envy
Observational research on gender envy has revealed a new form of envy – ablative envy. It’s when people want the absence of a certain thing that another person doesn’t have to experience. For example, women may envy men for not menstruating or giving birth, while men may envy women for not facing societal pressure to suppress emotions. Envy is more sociological and biological than personal, as most of the participants in the study report a neutrality devoid of any direct envy.
READ ALSO: Jealousy in Relationships: How to Reframe Your Thoughts and Emotions
