What is it about?

This study examined what men and women envy about the opposite sex. Research conducted in the Czech Republic showed that women most often envy men for their carefree, simpler life, higher salaries and prestige at work. They also envy that they are not held to such strict beauty standards and that they do not have to go through menstruation, childbirth and menopause. Men, on the other hand, most often envy women for their physical beauty, their ability to seduce and manipulate, and for being perceived as more tender and emotional. Interestingly, men also envy women for their ability to manage housework and childcare. The research also revealed a new form of envy, which the authors called "ablative envy." This envy refers to the desire for the absence of something unpleasant that others experience. In this case, women envied men for not having to experience menstruation, childbirth and menopause. The results of the study suggest that envy between the sexes is influenced by both biological and societal factors and reflects a persistent gender imbalance in our society.

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Why is it important?

The timelessness and uniqueness of our research lies in a few key aspects that could be of interest to a wide range of readers: While previous research has focused primarily on envy between individuals of the same sex, our study explicitly addresses enviousness directed at the opposite sex. This specific focus offers a new and previously understudied perspective on gender dynamics and perceptions of inequality. Identifying "ablative envy" our study uncovered and named a new type of envy - "ablative envy". This concept describes the desire for the absence of an unpleasant trait experienced by others. In our research, ablative envy was manifested in women who envied men for the absence of menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. This discovery expands the current understanding of the phenomenon of envy and opens new avenues for further research in the psychology of emotions. Reflecting on the current gender imbalance: the findings of the study show that objects of envy vary by gender and reflect the persistent gender imbalance in our society. Women often envy men for aspects associated with power structures and social advantages, while men envy women for attributes associated with physical attractiveness and traditionally perceived female roles. These findings resonate with current societal debates on gender equality and may stimulate further debate on the factors that contribute to gender inequality. Practical applications in therapy and pedagogy: the categories and statements identified by respondents can serve as suggestions for therapeutic and pedagogical practice. Understanding the mechanisms of gender envy can help practitioners in these fields to better identify and address issues related to gender identity, self-concept and interpersonal relationships.

Perspectives

The results of our research raise fascinating questions about how deeply envy is linked to gender roles and social structures. I find the possibility of measuring envy as an indicator of gender inequality particularly stimulating. I suggest that the intensity and focus of envy may reflect the degree of imbalance in a given society. For example, women's strong envy of men's economic power may indicate deep-seated economic disparities. From a therapeutic perspective, I think it is important to emphasize that understanding and processing envy can lead to deeper self-acceptance. In therapy, we can focus on working with acceptance of one's role in society and on identifying and challenging internalized gender stereotypes that can feed envy. Research on ablative envy has shown me how complex and multifaceted a phenomenon envy is. I see women's envy towards the absence of menstruation, childbirth and menopause as a manifestation of an ambivalent relationship with their own biological reality and the pressures that society places on women. I believe that the degree of envy in particular areas could also serve as an indicator of internal conformity to one's own gender role. If an individual is strongly envious of the attributes of the opposite sex, this may signal uncertainty about one's own gender self-concept and dissatisfaction with the expectations that come with that role. I see research on gender envy as an open field for further exploration, with potential for cross-cultural comparison. It would be fascinating to see how the objects and intensity of envy differ in cultures with different gender norms and power structures. In conclusion, the study of envy opens a window into the complex world of interpersonal relations and social dynamics. I believe that further research in this area will help us better understand not only envy itself, but also the factors that shape our gender roles and perceptions of self.

Radim Badosek
University of Ostrava

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This page is a summary of: What do men and women envy each other for?, Frontiers in Psychology, September 2024, Frontiers,
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1455199.
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