Gender Complicates Envy

A detailed Summary of Gender Complicates Envy

Have you ever felt hostility in a relationship and could not figure out where it came from? It may be that the hostility stemmed from resentment that you did not even know existed. Often we resent someone without even recognizing it because we admire something about him or her that we are not capable of achieving for ourselves. I not only agree with Karen Horney's statement that "it is contrary to human nature to sustain appreciation without resentment toward capabilities that one does not possess," but we must also recognize that this envy is complicated by gender so that we do not allow resentment to hinder a relationship with someone of the opposite sex without being aware of the role gender plays.

It seems evident what Horney means in saying "it is contrary to human nature to sustain appreciation without resentment toward capabilities that one does not possess." Clearly she is saying that a person may appreciate a characteristic or ability of another person, but if the admirer is not capable of this quality he or she appreciates, then he or she will have some feeling of resentment toward that person. For example, if I admired my friend's ability to paint extremely well but I were not artistic

From my own experience, I can recall times when I have envied males and males have envied me because of social or cultural differences in males and females. In the summer, since most of my friends are male, I always complain of having to get in the cold water to use the bathroom while a boy can just stand at the edge of the dock and relieve himself without getting wet at all. When not in my bathing suit and my shirt is drenched with sweat, I wonder how it is fair for boys to walk around topless when it is not proper for girls. And how is it fair that boys can have vulgar discussions and nasty habits that would be considered crude and unacceptable for a girl? This is not to say that I want to use the bathroom in full view of everyone or to walk around flaunting my bear chest or especially to have disgusting discussions or habits, but it does anger me that boys can do these things. Why is it socially accepted? Women have been taught that it is proper to be modest. I could physically do all of the above, but it would not be proper for a lady. I know all my guy friends get sick of hearing me ask them these questions. This envy has definitely caused me to be hostile at times, but has not affected my relationships.

at all, I could appreciate her ability only with some degree of bitterness because of the sense that I could never achieve what she has. This is completely logical. When envy such as the previous example is between two people of opposite sex, things get complicated. Since Adam and Eve, man has had some sort of sense that woman is inferior. A

Some common words found in the essay are:
Adam Eve, Karen Horney's, Complicates Envy, gender roles, opposite sex, human nature sustain, contrary human nature, appreciation resentment capabilities, nature sustain appreciation, sustain appreciation resentment, human nature, capabilities possess, resentment capabilities, nature sustain, envy complicated, daddy's little, sustain appreciation, little girl,

Approximate Word count = 1060
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English