Why Jealousy is as Necessary as Love or Sex.
Jealousy had a bad press in the 20th century. In 1931 Margaret Mead called it a festering spot on all so afflicted. Psychologists have declared it a symptom of immaturity and whisked sufferers into therapy. Capitalism, patriarchy, culture and socialisation have been blamed for it and advocates of open relationships have volubly reviled it.
After extensive research in this controversial field, David Buss is not convinced. He argues that, while jealousy in excess can of course be damaging, it may also be an effective coping strategy to deal with real threats to our closest relationships. There is also evolutionary logic in the dangerous passion. Our male ancestors had genetic paternity to safeguard and females had their offspring to protect.
This book raises fascinating and sometimes provocative questions: about the differences between men and women in their attitudes towards infidelity (and why these are reversed in lesbians and gays), about the cues which may indicate infidelity in a partner and the possible costs of ignoring them. This book holds surprises for everyone who reads it.
