Why are men jealous?
Many who are trying to find the answer to the question of why men are jealous of women are trying to get a benefit through which they can begin to manipulate their spouse. Yes, the end justifies the means, because most women in arranged marriages know how to attract the most attention to themselves along with gifts, money, etc. We will outline all the reasons for jealousy in men for another purpose: to cultivate a healthy moral character, because the most insignificant jealous outburst can result in a serious attack of aggression, since this psychological process cannot be controlled in principle. Statistics say that the percentage of crimes committed in a jealous outburst of emotions is today the highest in relation to other crimes.
Reasons why husbands become jealous:
- Naturally objective, amenable to interpretation;
- Acting as a type of manipulation over the wife;
- Heightened self-esteem;
- Low self-esteem;
- The will to dominate your spouse;
- Psycho-emotional trauma;
- Obsessive thoughts about idealizing relationships;
- Overriding your desire to change;
- Awareness of oneself as half of one whole;
- The activity of some phobias and fears;
- Copying a picture that happened to my parents.
Women are accustomed to believing that jealousy is caused by them, but this is not always the case, 95% is a mixture of pictures of what happened in the past, stories seen on television and moral principles along with societal pressure. Having once aroused jealousy in a man, you run the risk of intensifying it through awkward moments; here, remember the saying: “Alcohol in small doses is useful, but in large doses it is dangerous” - the same with jealousy.
Next, we will analyze each reason in detail.
Provocation is the worst embodiment of jealousy
Another dangerous aspect of jealousy is provocation—the artificial induction of jealousy. Women often resort to this weapon in an attempt to warm up relationships and attention to themselves.
Sometimes jealousy can add a spark to a relationship that is fading. But not when a person constantly uses it as a tool of manipulation and pressure.
By provoking your partner to jealousy, you unconsciously or consciously affect his self-esteem and encourage him to be competitive.
He and his “rival” are training in the achievements of “who will receive the main prize - the love of a woman?”
You, like a provocateur, rest on the laurels of your own pride and think about how else to provoke jealousy. And men bring all kinds of gifts to your feet: attention, love, colorful emotions, gifts, etc.
Do you love a man or his jealousy?
The basis of your provocations, albeit unconscious, is deprivation of attention and love in distant childhood.
And now you are trying to compensate for what you have not received in such a dishonest way, pitting people against each other in the battle for your person.
That is, you assert yourself through provocation.
But listen, deliberately causing jealousy of a partner is an unacceptable technique if we are talking about a trusting, loving relationship.
Look, this pattern is emerging. You are provoking your man to jealousy. He's falling for it. The two of you are pursuing the same goal - to get attention and love.
Only one in this situation takes the “pose” of a sadist, and the other – a masochist.
Which position do you prefer? None for me.
Girl, they feed you jealousy
Men also often “feed” the poison of jealousy to their women in the form of provocations, “and we have such a pretty, young new secretary.”
This is how they subconsciously “gain” points in the eyes of their chosen ones.
How NOT to react to provocations?
Your worst reactions in this situation would be:
- “Probably a fool and a prostitute, like all secretaries”;
- “And you, like a dog, have already hung your ears?!”;
- “If I see her next to her, I’ll pull out all her extensions”;
- “And our new manager gave me a ride in a cool car.”
You should also not be offended and demonstratively not talk to the man.
Such reactions only devalue you. They show that your ego is hurt, wounded.
As a result, the manipulator receives the emotions he expected and continues to “press” you further.
Let's neutralize manipulation
One of the optimal ways to respond is not to give the manipulator the expected reaction, not to reinforce his manipulative behavior. Or better yet, turn his manipulation to your advantage.
Alternatively, you can ask your husband questions that will encourage him to state his needs directly rather than indirectly.
You can also neutralize manipulation with humor.
Why is a woman provoked to jealousy?
By the way, if your chosen one behaves like this, take a closer look at yourself. Maybe you've neglected your man? Haven’t you complimented him for a long time, haven’t thanked him, haven’t admired your knight, that he provokes you to “love”?
Or maybe she let herself go. And with jealousy your man is trying to provoke you to take care of himself?
Or is provoking jealousy the norm in your relationship? Then what are you doing there?
Attempt of jealousy: pain or joy
Look, one of my clients was so “provoked” with his wife that he left for her friend. It was this woman that he constantly cited as an example of grooming and excellent taste.
His wife flaunted that he should love her for who she is and thank her for her son.
Until one day, in the literal sense of the word, she pulled her husband off her friend when she returned home ahead of time. The family broke up. And the friends poured slop on each other for a long time all over the city.
But it should be noted that the ex-wife blossomed - either to spite her husband, or thanks to going “to the bride fair.”
Was it really impossible to make such a move earlier, when it was relevant for the husband?
Objective reason for jealousy in men.
What's not to like about every person who has been promised fidelity? Of course, a settled man will not want to share his betrothed with someone on the horizon, so he will begin to feel a sense of anxiety about the loss of love, which is why the husband is jealous of his wife even without having children together. Natural causes include any type of woman’s behavior that denies the institution of family and marriage:
- Visiting entertainment venues without it;
- High frequency intake of alcoholic beverages;
- A warm, sincere form of communication with representatives of the opposite sex;
- Overnight with “friends”;
- Leaving somewhere without warning;
- “Friendly” hugs and kisses with strangers;
- Cheating, even accidental (same-sex relationships happen in our world, this also applies to them).
Objective grounds can also include head injuries, if the man’s psyche was damaged and this fact is documented.
Actor play.
The psychology of a man’s jealousy in an acting performance is no different from a woman’s, but why are men jealous in this format? Everything can be explained simply - lack of attention, long-term coldness radiated by a woman. Whatever one may say, a man is also a person and needs love, support and care. Let us note the fact that the care of everyday life does not fall here, since everyday life is, first of all, taking care of things, household items, and men themselves are able to prepare food or order delivery.
Beware, pathological jealousy!
By the way, it is very important to distinguish between pathological jealousy. It is not only a frequent reason for turning to psychologists and psychiatrists, but also adds work to law enforcement agencies.
Let's not forget that jealousy is the most common motive for murder in families.
So it’s definitely impossible to call jealousy a “harmless form of manifestation of love.”
Pathological jealousy is one of those problems that has been described by philosophers, poets and doctors for centuries. The latter even distinguish it as a separate disease.
Signs of jealousy as a referral to a doctor
Pathological jealousy is not a specific symptom of a specific disease.
On the contrary, it occurs in almost any mental disorder.
Personality pathology, neuroses, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, schizophrenia, organic pathology (less often) - in all these diagnoses one can find references to abnormal jealousy.
For this reason, it is important to refer the client for consultation with a psychiatrist at the slightest suspicion of an unclear mechanism of jealousy. Exactly incomprehensible.
Does your husband or boyfriend show excessive aggressiveness at the slightest hint of a man appearing in your environment? Then I recommend thinking about the mental health of your chosen one and your safety.
A high self-evaluation.
“I am the ruler of the world, my woman is only with me, no one has the right to approach her, say words, touch her,” the husband thinks with an excessively high assessment of his person. A man’s arrogance sometimes goes off scale to such an extent that they begin to feel out of place the moment their woman, for example, said hello to a male colleague. If you manage to say hello, hug, or chat with someone (even if it’s on business), then you’re immediately added to the list of girls of low social responsibility (as Putin once said). Naturally, from the first situation the fear begins that this belief will be confirmed, which is why men are jealous , starting to behave inappropriately:
- Track location;
- Check email and social media accounts;
- SMS and incoming and outgoing lists;
- Asking tricky questions with ridiculous speculation.
Such men are ardent owners, so it is almost impossible to explain anything, give arguments and evidence. Pressing for pity will also not work, since they themselves do not understand what kind of psychological and moral discomfort they cause to the chosen one.
What dangers does jealousy pose to human health?
What is the goal of any jealous person? Preventing your partner from physically cheating on you. This means that every outbreak of jealousy is a serious blow to a person’s nervous and cardiovascular system.
At the same time, the following processes occur in the body:
The release of a large portion of adrenaline into the blood; The human cardiovascular system has difficulty coping with the flow of blood, which spreads through the organs at breakneck speed and “puts pressure” on the heart, causing it to pound or freeze; The human brain experiences enormous overstrain, which is comparable to that which occurs when we learn about the death of a loved one.
The result of these processes is shock. The human immune system is unable to cope with systematic attacks of jealousy, and the body becomes depleted. The result of all of the above is the following diseases:
Anorexia; Obesity; Nervous breakdowns; Stroke; Heart attack; Impotence; Frigidity.
Low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem can easily be confused with high self-esteem, since their symptoms are practically the same, but if in the first case a man seems to be a king, then here he will feel like an unnecessary nonentity waiting for the worst turn of events (as if he is a participant in the competition, knowingly believing that will be the last), that's why a man is jealous.
A jealous person, day after day, keeps in his mind the thought that he will never be lucky, that he does not deserve better, that such a sweet, educated and beautiful girl like you cannot truly fall in love with him, that you are pursuing some benefit by being married to him and one day, having received yours, you will definitely leave the family.
He will feel like a victim and fervently believe it, without having the desire to make an objective analysis of his behavior. If you pay attention to another man, talk to him, then the husband will perceive this action as a desire to copulate on the side. In this case, behavior can be both whiny and aggressive. Usually this works in such a way that a loving woman begins to justify her behavior, empathize and show the ardor of her feelings.
This plot belongs to a number of manipulations, but should not be condemned, since it becomes the only true, but temporary “pill” for jealousy. In such cases, it is better to visit a psychotherapist to reduce the number of jealous outbursts and gradually get rid of them completely. If a man refuses treatment, there is a high risk of a repetition of the incident, and the time intervals between disputes will be reduced until it comes to divorce.
The desire to dominate.
If a person for a long period experienced antipathy towards others because of the ridicule and bullying of his peers, but once convinced that the problem lay in his head, he began to gradually “drive” into it the idea of his importance, uniqueness and unsurpassability, then the desire to be the best will remain for a long time, but he won’t put those around him in a penny. Why is the husband jealous of his wife here? Because the fear of being deceived and betrayed forces one to radiate hatred, which creates fear in others, in particular in the wife.
Form of behavior in marriage:
- Can use physical force if his rational will is not accepted for execution;
- Usually he strives for the top of the career ladder and holds a high position, so he tries to place himself above everyone in the family and, accordingly, provide it with everything necessary;
- Interacts well, never starts debriefing without a reason;
- He loves his loved ones and appreciates them, understanding that the world is cruel, he tries to protect them from its sad influences;
- Raises children by instilling an interest in serious sciences (such sons and daughters are called “Precocious”).
If a wife loves and is afraid of her jealous husband, she will be afraid of unnecessary “body movements”, so she will obey. In such marriages, the man is responsible for everything, the main word is his, the husband does not exert negative influences without reason if everything goes according to his rules. It is not strange that with such a man you feel like behind a stone wall, since he takes care of everyone, and wives are more often housewives, looking after everyday life and children.
Psychology of love and jealousy
Jealousy is definitely a negative feeling for the person who experiences it. It leads to fear, hatred, aggression, sadness, stress. Therefore, this emotion cannot be identified with love and considered an obligatory component of a relationship. By its nature, it is destructive for the jealous person, who tries to get rid of it, harming himself, his partner and potential competitors.
Are you ready to stop thinking about your problem and finally move on to real actions that will help you get rid of your problems once and for all? Then perhaps you will be interested in this article .
The basis of love is affection, the desire to spend time with a partner, to build a future together. Jealousy is born out of fear of losing it. It can arise for rational reasons - the coldness of a companion, secrets and omissions, flirting with other people of the opposite sex, reviews of mutual acquaintances about infidelity.
There is nothing bad or unnatural about such a feeling. It performs a natural protective function, saving the female from the risk of being abandoned with children, and the male from the need to raise someone else’s offspring.
Danger arises when jealousy is unreasonable and pathological. The reasons for this are complex psychological mechanisms that trigger the need to fully own a partner. The desire to become the only important person for your chosen one is destructive, and reduces the quality of relationships for the jealous person (due to the impossibility of fulfilling his demands) and the victim, who is tired of scandals and claims.
Manifestations of jealousy depend on the gender of the person. Men are domineering - they have such emotions due to the feeling of losing control over the girl. They believe the reason for this is the emergence of a competitor. The basis for women’s jealousy is a weakening of the emotional connection. If a girl is jealous, it means that she does not feel warmth and care from a guy. Women can hate and blame not only their lover for cooling their feelings, but also their girlfriends, friends, work and hobbies of their companion.
Psychological trauma.
The first pillar in analyzing consciousness always goes to basic psychology. Why are men jealous of women? Here we will answer with a complete list of injuries received in childhood and adolescence, which provoke the appearance of this unfortunate condition.
Situations that provoke injuries:
- Father or mother leaving the family, being raised by one parent;
- Maternal search and bringing various men to the apartment where your husband lived as a child;
- Lack of parental love (misunderstanding, poor interaction, beatings, drilling, low child self-esteem, disregard, lack of attention);
- Unhealthy situation in the relationship between parents (scandals, alcoholism, fights);
- Lack of friends, good friends;
- Bullying by peers is on par with lack of reaction or moral bullying by teachers;
- The early search for love (during the period of personality formation) ended in failure (the first girl abandoned her without reason, went to someone else, or cheated on her).
This is a list of the most famous and common reasons for receiving psycho-traumas, which force you to be afraid of losing your existing love, cloud your mind with the feeling of repeating an already passed life scenario.
Recommended reading: My husband is jealous for no reason. What to do?
The idea of idealizing relationships.
Sometimes the psychology of a man’s jealousy can be inexplicable, sometimes you live like in a barracks, all the time waiting for new rules, plans and orders. There are husbands who are pedants (people who want to see the ideal in everything), so, idealizing the concept of family, everything should be according to plan, and if not, a scandal begins, which, by the way, can be followed by divorce proceedings.
A wife must be decent and consistent in everything, she must stick to the plan, if she is 2 hours late after working out at the gym, this is already a reason to think that she was with another man, that is why the husband is jealous, including a different picture of reality in his head, because a woman is not called and did not report the previous delay.
What should I do if I'm jealous?
What to do with your own jealousy? Let's say you understand everything - theoretically. But suspicions and panic visit you every now and then. To begin with, it is advisable to recognize their source. A good way to do this is to ask yourself probing questions, preferably in a quiet environment and alone. You can write down your thoughts on a piece of paper.
So, think about what you are really afraid of when you are jealous. What happens if your suspicions are confirmed? Will it really be that bad? What can you do to calm down now; what you can do to prevent the situation; What will you do if this really happens?
The concept of one half of a whole.
Many interested ladies, asking why men are jealous, state the following behavioral factors of the husband when his wife is not around:
- Drowsiness;
- Lethargy;
- Lack of motivation to take action of any kind;
- Reluctance to live and enjoy life;
- High frequency of calls “Where are you? Are you coming soon?
All these symptoms relate to a man who does not understand and does not see life without his beloved, they feel themselves to be part of a single organism or mechanism, call it what you want, this is how psychology explains it. Why are men jealous? Because in moments when his beloved is nearby, “full of joy,” all life processes are activated, a man is motivated to work together, to do everyday life, to have leisure time and to spend any time together. If the spouse is not around, the consciousness is completely turned upside down, any factors from the environment are rejected, there is no desire to exist, the thought in my head is “She left me, she will not return again...”.
The described illness is being treated by psychiatrists and psychologists, or the man is simply trying to find something to do or sleeps until his wife is on the doorstep.
Test. How jealous is your husband?
To determine the approximate strength of your spouse's jealousy, we recommend taking a test. The accuracy of the answer depends on the honesty of the answers.
1. Does he often try in every possible way to keep you close to him?
2. Do you respond to his jealousy by being jealous of other women?
3. Does a man often interrogate men you know?
4. Have you given a reason to be jealous, and even more so to believe that you have someone else?
5. Does he claim that you are cheating on him or is he just guessing?
6. Have you observed him paying attention to other women on the street?
7. Do his eyes, cheeks, ears turn red when you start talking about another man?
8. Does he set conditions that if you don’t stop communicating “with him”, he will file for divorce (break up)?
9. Do you have children together?
10. Do calming actions on your part help?
If you have any questions, you can write them in the comments. We wish you all the best!
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What is the reason for jealousy?
It is not always clear what exactly is behind jealousy. The possible infidelity of a partner or his attention to other people is only an external reason. But internal reasons may be different. The most common is the fear of missing out on what we consider our property. It could also be:
- Unstable self-esteem
- Fear of loneliness and addiction
- Desire to control a partner
- Lack of own interests in life
- Own infidelity (a person judges by himself)
As you understand, all this has very little in common with love.
The reasons I have listed are often interrelated and work together. For example, the lack of one’s own hobbies and activities creates dependence on a partner and the feeling that he is the only guarantor of happiness. The sense of ownership arises from the same place - when we cannot provide our own happiness, we try to hold on to its source.