Betrayal is a universal theme that has affected many people for centuries. While many of us consider cheating to be unacceptable behavior, in other cases it's not always clear what cheating is or isn't. But while this remains personal, there are some myths that we actually often take for granted.
Myth 1: A vigilant partner can prevent cheating.
Some partners check their partner's phone, location and everything else, but people need to understand that nothing you do prevents cheating.
Nothing like that will work. If your partner cheats, they will cheat too, regardless of your controls.
Myth 2: Cheating is always about sex.
Besides sex, people cheat for many other reasons, including anger, the need to prove that they are attractive or young, the need for love or touch, the need to prove their independence, etc.
There is also a situational dynamic for some people: "I wasn't looking for it, but when it fell into my lap, I just couldn't (or didn't want to) say no."
Moreover, cheaters often have certain problems with themselves that lead them to cheating.
Myth 3: Some people are just "sex addicts".
Sex addiction is no excuse for cheating. It is possible to communicate, work with the partner and the therapist, but this addiction does not have to justify everything the partner does.
Myth 4: He who cheats once, always does.
Surveys estimate that someone who has cheated before is three times more likely to cheat again, compared to those who have never cheated.
On the other hand, many therapists say that cheaters themselves feel devastated after the betrayal. Whether it's because of their partner's grief, their own sense of shame, or both, they're shocked and convinced they'll never do it again.
It would be unfair to assume that someone who has cheated once will repeat it again and again.
Myth 5: Marriage cannot survive infidelity.
Situations with marriage are very complex and difficult, but it is not true that a marriage does not survive betrayal. This depends, however, on specific cases and certain circumstances.
