Something has been weighing on my mind recently and it's a conclusion I've come to myself from reading books and my own experience.

Men simply are less happy than women are, if we exclude the United States (please ignore my post if you live in the US) (Declining female happiness: Stevenson & Wolfers 2009). This is true in most countries - a happiness inequality exists between men and women. This inequality tends to be decreasing, but not in a way you'd expect. Men in developed countries are increasing in subjective well-being faster than women are. This can potentially be explained by women adopting less traditional roles and taking on more responsibilities. (IBID)

So while both are increasing in subjective wellbeing, there is still a gap. I use this to rationalize my actions with respect to women within a few principles.

a) Always favor actions that result in an increase in happiness for men rather than women. The bro code states rather primitively "bros before hoes".

b) Give women the responsibility for their own happiness.

c) Do not personally compromise the happiness of either group.

How can we do this? Well it's a complicated issue, but we can go for the lowest hanging fruit.

  1. Encourage women to take on more responsibility through empowerment initiatives. This one is rather concrete because you can invite your female friends to such events.
  2. Do not cheat in relationships. When you have a choice of potential mates, you ultimately choose only one.
  3. Respect yourself and other men, when you make plans with your male friends do not blow them off to go on a date. Stand up for yourself and value yourself, women and other men.

Any other ideas? PS I don't know if this type of thinking already has a community or philosophy.