Member-only story
PROMISE TO PROMISCUITY: THE ANATOMY OF CHEATING IN RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE
People fall into affairs rather than plan them. People jeopardize their family, their health, their safety, their social standing, their financial well-being for affairs — and violate their own strong beliefs when they cheat. It’s important to note that having an affair is a symptom of a mental health problem like alcohol abuse or bipolar disorder. So why do people engage in sex before or outside marriage?
>They already have a sexual infidelity problem before the relationship or marriage.
>Wanting to feel better about themselves or to avoid other unpleasant feelings. Wanting to please someone else.
>Wanting to get a favor, material reward, or revenge.
>Hoping it would lead to a long-term relationship.
>Not actually wanting to, but being somehow tricked or coerced into it, or too intoxicated to make a responsible decision.
>High opportunity exposure to social arenas such as workplaces, social media, and social gatherings without adequate self-control.
Cheating can taint or limit your self-reports. In other words cheating psychologically turns your normal view of love and relationships into abnormal. You don’t see them the same anymore. Understand that as much as…
