What would make you want to have an affair?

1. 0

   lisasuniquevoiceposted 9 years ago

   What would make you want to have an affair?

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2. 39

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   I wouldn't go that route.  If my marriage was so bad that I felt I had to have an affair, I'd insist on marriage counseling or, if that didn't work, get a divorce.

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   lyndapringleposted 9 years ago

   NOTHING!!  NADA!!  I am not even tempted because my husband has made it quite clear that, while he will tolerate anything I dish out, he will not tolerate infidelity and that I would be kicked out of our home so fast that I would not leave skid marks.  My husband does not bluff so, if he states that he will divorce me without question, if I have an affair, he means it.  My marriage means too much for me; it has been my biggest success to risk it on a side romance, no matter how appealing the other man may be.
   
   There have been a couple of times where I did make inappropriate emotional connections with men and confided things with them that would have been better shared with my husband but that's as far as it went and I now recognize my mistake.  But as far as sexual infidelity? No way!

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4. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   Personally I wouldn't want to have an affair. I'm too lazy when it comes to trying to keep up the various lies needed to keep it a secret. Secondly in the long run it's better to go through the divorce if you're extremely unhappy than to continue to stay and use the affair as a Band-Aid. People have affairs to tolerate their marriage.
   Having said that I do understand why many people have them. The goal of most cheaters is to hold onto all that is "good" in their primary relationship while addressing their other "needs" on the side. The majority of cheaters aren't looking to (replace) one relationship with another!
   Sometimes people don't "proactively" look to cheat on their mates, It may be a situation where a stranger simply treats them special and makes them feel better about themselves. A "secret platonic friendship" develops which eventually leads to sharing one's unhappiness and feeling understood. Much like the emotion of love is often projected on a therapist, teacher, mentor...etc
   Not long ago I asked a question on HP: "Is an unhappily married man more likely to cheat or file for divorce?"
   Over 90% of the responses said he'd cheat!
   Basically the argument is the man would look at the financial cost of going through a divorce, moving out of his home into an apartment/condo, paying child support and possibly alimony, becoming a weekend dad, and breaking the news to family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances Versus having an affair. From that point of view cheating (seems) a like a better option. Mind you the average cheater does not expect to be caught!
   Another question I once asked was: "Is sexual incompatibility enough of a reason to end a marriage?"
   (Lack of sex, passion, or romance is often sited as a reason why people cheat)
   Once again over 90% of the answers came back as "no". I suspect even cheaters are in agreement with that! In fact mistresses are often warned by their friends: "The husband (never leaves) the wife."
   Something tells me if I had asked:
   "Would you rather your mate cheat on you or leave you?" Most people would say they'd rather their mate leave them! Essentially it's the same question asked from a different point of view!

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