Will a Marriage/Relationship Work Out If One Partner Has Cheated?

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Will a relationship endure if one or both of the partners has cheated on the other? The answer to this question is usually no, but in some cases, it can be quite the opposite. The question of this subject matter; however, is: CAN a relationship with a cheater work out? And in life, save for perhaps death and taxes, there are no absolutes. Therefore, the only possible answer is yes.


Obviously, many emotions can be stirred when either partner in a marriage learns the other has been unfaithful. Not only will the cheated individual feel betrayed, but oftentimes, the notion of “once a cheater, always a cheater,” a complete loss of trust, will surface. Adultery has been regarded as a deplorable sin for centuries. Such an act serves as a direct violation of one’s spoken vows at the time a pair is joined in matrimony. Thus, to this day, a monogamous marriage is viewed as the standard and moral benchmark for all pairings. Thus, one cannot dispute the fact that once spousal infidelity is revealed, divorce proceedings are what typically follow.


But in some cases, those guilty as charged are genuinely remorseful and quite willing to acknowledge their mistake. In such instances, forgiveness and a resultant reconciliation can and sometimes will occur. In short, it all depends on how effective the couple's communication skills are in conveying the message of how badly the cheater feels and/or how well the person who was cheated on takes the news.


It should be noted here that we’re talking about relationships here. A relationship is not necessarily a marriage. Adultery is defined as extra-marital sex with someone other than your spouse. If you are merely dating or even living together as partners, is straying then really cheating? To further complicate matters, what if the relationship or even the marriage employs a mutually agreed-upon open policy? You know. Love the one you’re with. Swingers. Casual sex for the sake of sex. Certainly, these types of relationships; however unorthodox, should work out, shouldn’t they?


Cheating, or adultery; whichever term one prefers or deems appropriate, is certainly nothing new. In fact, it’s been happening since our species first walked the earth. But ever since the free love movement entered our lives in the 1960s, many of us included in the progressive segment of society have adopted a looser and more relaxed set of morals. As a result, we seek fun with no strings attached while single. When we find someone special, most of us no longer wait until our wedding night to consummate relationships.


However, and regardless of one's moral standards, cheating among married couples is slowly becoming more commonplace. As bold a statement as this may be, it could therefore become more acceptable and perhaps even expected. Yes, one day, a casual act of adultery may be regarded as harmless as a married man looking at pictures in a Playboy magazine or a wedded woman getting together with her friends to see a Chippendale's show.


Should the ages-long traditions we are currently accustomed to change and result in a society that embraces a sort of sexual free-for-all, those who enter into marriage may wish to consider exploring such a liberal philosophy as opposed to remaining stuck in a school of thought that could very well become obsolete.The identities of future generations of children may depend on it.