I used to think that everyone felt the same way as I do about infidelity. To me, anyone who would be unfaithful couldn’t possibly really love their mate or be committed to them. How could they risk harming them that way? I believed that the breaking of a steady, faithful heart would surely result in an unholy wail by the angels. Who could live with themselves?
As a guardian ad litem, I have learned that not everyone has the same perspective. I have been surprised to learn that although there is generally a lot of distress when an infidelity is revealed, for many couples, it just isn’t the earth shattering, soul destroying crisis that it is for others. For some, infidelity is just recreation or a diversion. The mate is not happy about it and insists on assurances that it won’t happen, again, but it frequently does. Because for some couples, infidelity is … accepted. It is part of their special marital rhythm.
For these unions, there seems to be a lot of power shifting back and forth, depending upon who is currently righteously angry and who is currently righteously resentful and justified in stepping out. The most balanced moment in their relationship seems to be that time when one feels the guiltiest and the other feels the most forgiving. They are both giddy at the possibility of having another chance to “get it right.” For a moment, the sun revolves around their little world and the chaos and anguish their actions have caused their children, families, lovers, etc., fade to black. At the end of the day, the most important thing is how they make each other feel. They cling to each other in the eye of the storm that swirls around their relationship, overall.
So these days, I am afraid I have become much more jaded when dealing with repeat cheaters in the context of a custody or visitation case. While some spouse pours his/her heart out about how unfeeling the partner is; what a %&*#@$ she is; what a poor example he is to the children; how he has hurt the kids; how she has repeatedly cheated, I don’t really feel the sympathy I once did – at least not for the spouse in front of me. If it bothered them as much as they would have me believe, they’d have left a long time ago - at least emotionally. Moreover, you can't have it both ways - grant forgiveness, prolong the hell, play the power games, them resurrect the pain when it becomes useful in the battle at hand.
Nope, in a repeat cheater scenario, most of my sympathy is reserved for the dead soldiers who litter the landscape in this War of the Roses in miniature.
2 comments:
I agree with you completely. As far as I'm concerned you're either married and committed or you're not. If you're not, release your spouse from his or her vows. And I have no respect for someone who tolerates this abuse. I had one husband that cheated--but not for long! I cut my losses and managed to support myself on very little money for some time. Monetary status is worth nothing if you're unhappy. I also believe if it has happened once, you will have no peace, it's way too easy for the cheater to do so again. I realize it's more complicated when children are involved, but if you allow this to go on, what kind of an example do you set for the children and what kind of a home life are you providing? Loving, caring and self-respect are more valuable in the long run than all the Nike sneakers a two income family can buy. Give your children things of true value in their upbringing.
Hummm - being from a small town... my nephew (who is in 2nd grade) has 3 classmates -who all have the same father... different households, mothers, other 1/2 brothers/sisters, etc. Now, that is a tricky situation. I don't think that any of them are/were married but none-the-less, there you have those kids... their lives all somehow intertwined through no action of their own. Sigh.
Cheers!
Evelyn
Post a Comment