Jealousy in a relationship is common. However, it is difficult to interpret without being good or bad. Therefore, the first answer that might come to mind is «it depends.» Antonio Banderas said that Melanie Griffith’s jealousy was a symbol of her love for him. In any case, that should have been asked of her. In principle, each person is a world and that is why it is difficult to generalize. There are those who see their partner with another person of the other sex and feel nothing; There are those who see their partner with people of the other sex and think the worst.
Romantic jealousy does not bode well for romantic relationships. This jealousy is said to have motivated our ancestors to avoid poaching for mates, according to research published in 2013. However, jealousy still fits into our world as a «justified an emotional response to losing someone.» But do the findings on jealousy tell us it’s good for a relationship?
Jealousy can be good for romantic relationships in very small doses. «A little jealousy in a healthy relationship is okay,» says biological anthropologist Helen Fisher. «When you are reminded that your partner is attractive and that you are lucky, it can encourage you to be kinder and friendlier.» However, when jealousy is chronic, debilitating and overt, that’s when it becomes a problem, says Fisher.
Lauren Papp, a professor at the University of Wisconsin who has done extensive research on intimate relationships, agrees. «Chronic jealousy is not a positive sign of the relationship. It can be tempting to think that someone is more interested in you because they express more jealousy or possessive behavior. But jealousy is really a negative sign of insecurity in the relationship.»