Another cheating question

Being a man who has never cheated on a woman (And also as a man who has never married or been involved relationship that could feasibly be classified as serious), you could, if you were somewhat of a despot, dismiss me as being somewhat unqualified to make speculations regarding the perfidious behavior that has found itself becoming the topic of discussion here, but I do think there are a myriad of reasons for it that haven’t really been discussed. My reckoning is that adultery is, at least to a decent percentage of its admirers, a crime of degradation, either imposed on oneself or a loved one. A penchant for degradation could be a caprice that consistently appears for this rogue. This is not only restricted to degrading a partner but also oneself. Any man with a semblance of knowledge would know that adultery is frowned upon in modern society (Although perhaps in a vociferous, boastful way it is applauded by like minded individuals), is it not possible that devaluing oneself in the eyes of many would be an appealing caper for a deviant? After all, when robbed of ones value and standing in society, one could grant himself the freedom to perform more acts of a felonious nature in full knowledge that he has no reputation to sully, that disgraceful idiosyncrasies have become synonymous with his name, therefore what could anyone do to prevent the fulfillment of even the most decadent fantasies? Of course, it is not only this freedom that one could gain from disgracing oneself, indeed some could be searching for imprisonment, the desire to make up for misdeeds if given the opportunity, to be in thrall to a woman not only because of love or sexual desire, but to make amends, to be indebted. The licentious desire to be servant to a woman is fairly commonplace is it not? This could represent just another facet of this caprice.

Opposite to these explanations are desires to inflict feelings of degradation on others, which has been touched upon. ‘tis basic human nature to flaunt one’s dominance over others, and indeed if we could not at times look at others and decide they would be happier living our lives, that we are essentially superior to them, could we ever find true happiness? Indeed, a husband observing his wife struggling, given responsibility for so many different tasks, could become accustomed to living a life of duplicity knowing that maintaining such an insalubrious lifestyle is within his capabilities but not those of his wife, that he is not constrained by a mere declaration of love in the same way and can in fact live doing whatever he pleases. The dismissal of such established institutions as marriage would also appeal presumably to certain salacious minds, for a man could observe his friends lusting after other women but paralyzed into inaction by a commitment to another, by acceding to ones most libidinous wants and needs often, regardless of the presence of a loved one, is to many undoubtedly considered representative of power, if they see someone they’d like to defile, they could go and have a stab at it while other men in a similar situation wouldn’t dare, this allows them a feeling of an elevated status within gender which is important to most.

Furthermore, the man could be so contented by his own charms, so arrogant and egregious, that to him adultery is nothing more than a challenge to a wife. He could, mistakenly of course, be so assured of her utter devotion and imbecilities, that he would imagine a casual affair would serve only to keep her on her toes, encouraging her to battle this mistress by being even more complaisant, alternatively rather than challenge her, it could be utilized to frighten her to achieve the same ultimate result. Without wanting to insult the female sex, I’m sure many men have exploited women as such, forever I am hearing of ladies who have tolerated the most fiendish of lovers, “Treat ‘em rough, you get your muff” etc… The sense of wronging someone during sex is without a doubt to many liable to add some girth, after all this is the basis for so many, somewhat more acceptable peccadillo’s nowadays, bukkake, gang bangs, throat banging etc… all with obsequious women accepting the harshest treatment and acquiescing to the most beastly commands, it is perhaps every lothario’s fantasy to have such a woman, adultery could merely represent to some a means of uncovering such a obedient lass.

Additionally, this man could be terrified of similar betrayal, and indeed if he were conducting his treacherous business covertly that’d be a munificent indication of this. I’ve never personally had a woman cheat on me (Due to lack of relationships), but I’d imagine the most lamentable agony for me would the feeling of inferiority I’d be subject to, that another man has been able to take something precious from me (Perhaps the male rivalry has a certain significance in these matters, because I have often considered, and not solely because my prurient, boyish fondness for lesbians I assure you, that if I did have a steady girlfriend I would be far more understanding and diplomatic if I found she were being sapphotized, and infinitely more obstreperous and pugnacious if ‘twere a man with which she were entwined). The man being discussed here could be cheating to counter those potential feelings, his exploits to be wielded as a weapon he can use in defense, both to save himself some feelings of masculinity or indeed as a revenge on his promiscuous wife. This could be a standard practice of many distrusting men.

Fearing that my post has become excessively indecipherable, I won’t add anything more lest this becomes objectionably pertinacious, but hopefully my points will open up new areas for discussion, although hopefully the perhaps cheerful style I’ve used in my posting won’t suggest I approve of this since I can’t stand to see women exploited as I’ve described. Apololgies also if I've covered aspects previously discussed by time is pressing and I couldn't read all of the contributions :devil:
 
I started working in the IT/ business consulting industry 6 years ago, but it didn't take longer than a few months for me to learn that industry is FULL of cheating husbands. The traveling makes it very easy. Of those that cheat, the overwhelming majority have no interest in leaving their wives. They love them. They really do. They love their wives, their kids, the dog, their houses, their toys, their lives.

They cheat because they're driven by the chase, the challenge to get a woman into bed. The more they like and respect the woman, the greater the challenge, and the greater the rush they get from seducing her. It's just like competing for and winning a big client deal. They crave it.

These men never tell their wives what they're up to when they're out of town. They hope to God she never finds out. But they keep doing it because of the rush. It makes them feel alive.

Of those that cheat, there are also men whose marriages are a disaster. The travel takes its toll on both husband and wife, especially if there are children. These guys are a lot more complicated, but I think they cheat as an escape, for something pleasureable, for a boost to their egos, trying it out as they decide whether to stay married or not, to feel wanted, they're not gettin' any at home, and out of habit.


[And that ends our National Geographic Special on Men of the Consulting Industry, Married & Cheating sub-species.]
 
A few other interesting theories were proposed in said "recent activity." They might be interesting to ponder and discuss. :)

1) As long as you're not married, fucking around behind your S.O.'s back doesn't matter, or isn't cheating.

2) There are certain times in our lives in which cheating is (more) acceptable because it's "unfair" to expect someone to be faithful during them. The one proposed was in college, but I've also heard during longer absences, during pregnancy, and during a "mid-life crisis."

3) No one person can truly fulfill another's needs. Being faithful is just a silly expectation and something we say we do, but no one should really expect another to actually live that way.
 
SweetErika said:
As long as you're not married, fucking around behind your S.O.'s back doesn't matter, or isn't cheating.
Maybe it's not adultery (I'm thinking legalities here), but it's still cheating. I don't think that one person has a right to tell ME what cheating is and isn't. My ex tried to say that because he didn't fuck the person that he left me for before he moved out (they HAD kissed), he didn't cheat. I still felt cheated on.

There are certain times in our lives in which cheating is (more) acceptable because it's "unfair" to expect someone to be faithful during them. The one proposed was in college, but I've also heard during longer absences, during pregnancy, and during a "mid-life crisis."
Pregnancy? Are you fucking kidding me? Hell, during low-risk pregnancies (and even in some high-risk situations), sex during pregnancy isn't forbidden, though there are LOTS of reasons why women don't feel up to it. I, personally, was feeling ultra vulnerable when I was pregnant, particularly with my two youngest kids, but I think that was because of my husband's line of work at the time. I would have been shattered if he were fucking around on me when I was pregnant. And what if a man brings home a STD to his pregnant spouse/SO? Some STD's can cause problems during pregnancy/delivery. Is it really worth the risk?

No one person can truly fulfill another's needs. Being faithful is just a silly expectation and something we say we do, but no one should really expect another to actually live that way.
What are these needs? And should we differentiate between wants and needs? I may want to have sex four times a day, but do I need sex four times a day? I need food, water, and shelter. As I'm not longer wishing to reproduce, I no longer need sex. Of course, I still want it, but my husband takes care of that just fine.

Perhaps these people should find a culture where monogamy isn't the norm?

Jesus. People will make any excuse to justify their behavior, won't they? If you can't stay faithful, why not just break up with the person and save him or her the heartache?

I've mentioned on here that my husband and I have an inactive couples profile on AFF. I don't go there often, but when I was there the other night, a 26-year-old woman on the Advice Lines section of AFF's Magazine was bitching about her husband. Apparently he just left for basic training, and she was upset because she thought he was "testing" her. And she was just so damn horny. I was thinking, "Here this guy is, being put into a situation where he could possibly die for his country at some point, and his selfish bitch of a wife is feeling sorry for herself because she's not getting laid." She was saying that HE was selfish.

I apologize. There was a point to this thread, but I started ranting and I forgot what it was. Feel free to interpret it as you will.
 
Eilan said:
I've mentioned on here that my husband and I have an inactive couples profile on AFF. I don't go there often, but when I was there the other night, a 26-year-old woman on the Advice Lines section of AFF's Magazine was bitching about her husband. Apparently he just left for basic training, and she was upset because she thought he was "testing" her. And she was just so damn horny. I was thinking, "Here this guy is, being put into a situation where he could possibly die for his country at some point, and his selfish bitch of a wife is feeling sorry for herself because she's not getting laid." She was saying that HE was selfish.

I apologize. There was a point to this thread, but I started ranting and I forgot what it was. Feel free to interpret it as you will.

No need to apologize. That's a pretty good way to summarize what cheating is: selfish. Cheating is a very selfish thing.
 
LadyJeanne said:
Of those that cheat, there are also men whose marriages are a disaster.
I'm not trying to justify anyone's behavior here, but this was definitely the case in my first marriage. A woman came on to my ex, and he responded.

The timing was bad on so many levels. If she'd approached my ex a year before, he would have been flattered, but he would have let her down as easily as he could have. But, as it was, I had postpartum depression and my ex was convinced that I hated him.
 
Unfortunately, this is one of those "Why?" questions that doesn't have an easy answer, but I'm gonna ask, anyway: Why get married if you KNOW you can't stay faithful?

He probably needs the attention, has the need to be wanted and find sex satisfying him in that way. Could be torn between wanting to settle... and wanting to be promiscuous. Maybe he's that kind of person who doesnt want to feel alone - so he gets married, so the bed'll always be warm. Or simply put - an asshole?
 
Speaking from the flip side of the coin, I'm a woman who doesn't know how to stay faithful :rolleyes: I got married because I didn't know what to do, I wanted to get away from my overly controlling mom, and having never been by myself I guess I needed someone. I guess I contribute my having cheated on my man to being young, and not having fully explored the world around me before I began the relationship. After discussing it at length with my shrink, she mostly agreed with me and also added that cheating comes from wanting to explore something new. If your not happy in your present situation or if your the type of person who jumps from one thing to another then u'r prone to cheating. (am I even making any sense?) There's also the type of person who doesn't want to be happy. They can be in a perfectly great relationship and do something to fuck it up just because they feel it's going too well.

I guess I really don't have any conclusive insight on this problem lol so I'll just leave it at that :D
 
There's never an excuse, never a good reason, it's never justified, plain and simple. If you can't commit to staying faithful, you shouldn't get married. If you ever reach a point wehre you can no longer stay faithful, it's time to find out why and if you can't fix it, walk away. This is whether you are married or in an exclusive relationship.

Now I really do think this culture has been around for a long time. I mean, back in our grandparents' days guys screwing aroundont heir wives was common place. So long as it was kept discreet, little was said, and it wasn't brought out in the open much. Of course, women couldn't vote then either, so who's to say.

I don't know, I just dont' have a lot of sympathy in this avenue I guess. I just don't think it's a question. People slip, people screw up, but those I like to call serial cheaters, are just pond scum, IMNSHO.
 
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