In societies where gender norms are rigidly defined, men are expected to display strength, dominance, aggression, risk-taking behavior, and ambition. They must also be independent, assertive, competitive, strong-willed, and successful. Masculine stereotypes emphasize that men should be physically attractive, muscular, athletic, powerful, authoritative, confident, and heterosexual. Because masculinity is associated with virility and potency, it can affect how men experience jealousy and express it. Studies show that men who conform more closely to traditional definitions of masculinity tend to experience greater intensity and frequency of jealousy than their less masculine counterparts. This may be due to cultural expectations that suggest men should always feel superior to women, possess them exclusively, and protect them from competition.
When a man feels threatened, he may become angry, possessive, suspicious, or controlling towards his partner. He may resort to verbal abuse, physical violence, or manipulation in order to maintain control over her. Men who do not meet society's standards for masculinity might feel even more vulnerable when they witness their partners being desired by other men. As a result, they may react with extreme emotions like resentment, fury, and envy.
However, masculinity does not preclude all forms of emotion and expression; some studies have found that certain types of jealousy (e.g., fear of abandonment) tend to correlate positively with traits such as warmth, compassion, and affectionality.
Further research suggests that gender roles play an important role in shaping the intensity of jealousy experienced by both sexes. In patriarchal cultures, where women are expected to be submissive and dependent on men, female jealousy is often seen as a sign of weakness or immaturity. On the other hand, male jealousy is accepted and even encouraged because it reinforces traditional norms about male dominance and ownership. Men may also engage in competitive displays of jealousy, trying to prove their worthiness to their partners through aggression or coercion. They may use tactics like public confrontation, name-calling, stalking, or threats of violence against rival suitors. Women, however, may experience less intense but more frequent bouts of jealousy due to social expectations that emphasize modesty and restraint.
How does masculinity influence intensity and expression of jealousy?
Masculinity can be defined as a set of characteristics that are traditionally associated with men, such as strength, assertiveness, risk-taking behavior, aggression, and competitiveness (Kim et al. , 2015). These traits may influence how men perceive and express jealousy. Men who identify strongly with traditional masculine norms may feel pressure to suppress their emotions and maintain a tough exterior in order to appear strong and invulnerable.