Jealousy equals love?

Have you dated jealous guys/girls in the past? I've always thought that jealousy is a negative, undesirable characteristic and I should avoid it. A friend told me the last man she dated told her he's jealous because that's how he should feel about the woman he loves. I don't think I would feel loved by this, I would feel bothered and a bit smothered.

How do jealous lovers justify their feelings? Does anything trigger jealousy or is it a part of someone's personality?

I think a little bit of jealousy is natural and acceptable. But beyond that it is not only smothering but indicative of immense insecurities.

In the early stages of relationships I tend to get a bit jealous, and I know it's because of insecurities in that phase. Once I'm past that I become quite the opposite.

Jealousy ≠ love

Extreme jealousy does not equal love. Like Blues said, a bit of jealousy is natural and anticipated. But when it goes to an extreme where it is being voiced constantly, time to get out of that relationship.

Bluesmama wrote:I think a little bit of jealousy is natural and acceptable. But beyond that it is not only smothering but indicative of immense insecurities.

I agree

Bluesmama wrote:I think a little bit of jealousy is natural and acceptable. But beyond that it is not only smothering but indicative of immense insecurities.

A tinsy bit is okay. Voicing that jealousy over & over, turn off. It reeks of insecurities

Artemis wrote:A tinsy bit is okay. Voicing that jealousy over & over, turn off. It reeks of insecurities

Well said, Artemis!

So then does LOVE = JEALOUSY?

I really have a hard time accepting this. Jealousy = INSECURITY and DISTRUST.

Thinking jealousy is a positive is like saying YOU MADE ME HIT YOU...

It depends on how much they let their jealous overtake their rationale. My BF and I are both possessive of each other and have indicated jealous feelings in certain situations, but we have never let those feelings dictate how we act or treat each other!