View Full Version : Why men cheat
jennis27
Sep 25, 2008, 10:58 AM
Why do married men cheat
jennis27
Sep 25, 2008, 11:02 AM
When men cheat do that mean their not attractive to their wives
jennis27
Sep 25, 2008, 11:03 AM
No
talaniman
Sep 25, 2008, 11:38 AM
Men can be attracted to literally millions of females at once.
avonlady
Sep 25, 2008, 11:40 AM
Because they are trifling dogs
donf
Sep 26, 2008, 06:25 AM
Whoa there ladies. First we are not dogs. Don't belittle that species by equating us with dogs.
Men cheat because women let them! Let's face it, it takes two to tangle the sheets. It's no fun alone.
Men and women cheat because they can. Hormones, perfume, a pretty smile. A beautiful sunny day, whatever the reason.
It comes down to self discipline. It is the responsibility of both parties to say no.
Fortunately it's not all that hard to do. All you need to do is realize the amount of damage you will be doing to your own life and then choose not to do it.
For us guys, we exist on a single plane along with football, food, recliners and this thing called "Woman".
We know all there is to know about 3 of the four items on our plane. Woman is the great unexlplained mystery for us.
Fr_Chuck
Sep 26, 2008, 07:41 AM
Well Don from reading a lot of the other posts, I guess there are a lot who have fun alone, but on a seroius note first not all men cheat, in fact most would never cheat.
The ones that do have a lack of respect or a lack or self control and/or both. They put a little sexual pleasure ahead of their relationship.
With that said, there are plenty of women who cheat or know they are with a married man who is cheating.
donf
Sep 26, 2008, 09:58 AM
Fr. Chuck,
I completely agree with your post. With that said, I can also say that I have never cheated on my lady, nor do I plan on doing so. I never want to cause my wife the pain of destroyed trust, that kind of behavior would bring to her.
Tuscany
Sep 26, 2008, 10:03 AM
Oprah just did an entire show on why men cheat. I found it very eye opening and insightful - even though I have never been cheated on or cheated myself. One of the many reasons given is because the men feel under appreciated. Also the reason men cheat is rarely because of sex. Check out the link
Oprah.com - Live Your Best Life (http://www.oprah.com/index)
avonlady
Sep 26, 2008, 10:53 AM
If you don't feel appreciated win an award... im sorry I know I'm only 24 but college men have made me VERY bitter.. I knew this one guy he cheated on his long time g/f with another girl in THE SAME APT COMPLEX. Im sorry you want to feel appreciated win an award... I saw that show and that guy was a jerk and its kind of hard to appreciate your husband with kids and chores to do... maybe if he got up off his rump and helped with the house work his wife would have appreciated him.
simoneaugie
Sep 26, 2008, 11:19 AM
avonlady, why would he get off his rump when he has a recliner, food and football?
Men crave appreciation. Women crave understanding. If men would understand that vacuuming under his feet while he's watching the game is hard work, they would be appreciated for lifting their feet!
Both men and women cheat because either there is something wrong with their marriage and/or head-pulling device is needed.
avonlady
Sep 26, 2008, 12:03 PM
simoneaugie;1293841]avonlady, why would he get off his rump when he has a recliner, food and football?
Or in my dads case jerry springer hell date and tyra (thats why my parents divorced). See if women would stop doing so much cleaning and just sat down and watched TV like men do then I bet wed se a change. If I get married you think I'm going to come home after work and start cleaning house? HELL NO... I worked just as hard...
Men crave appreciation. Women crave understanding. If men would understand that vacuuming under his feet while he's watching the game is hard work, they would be appreciated for lifting their feet!
Why don't mor women just turn and say "honey would you vacum the floor while I cook... or will you wash the dishes after dinner? I notice that some women don't realize men don't get clues you have to flat out say what you want.. . ill say it again men cheat because they are TRIFLING:mad:
Synnen
Sep 26, 2008, 12:30 PM
I'm a person who HAS cheated.
I'm not a serial cheater--it happened ONCE.
The reason it happened was because I was ignored, unappreciated, and felt unattractive to the guy I was living with at the time.
When someone else came along and made me feel special, attractive, witty, and fun--well, it sure beat crying myself to sleep because he'd spent yet ANOTHER evening not even noticing me.
And before anyone brings up communication--I tried. Betcha MOST cheaters try to communicate with their other half. Thing is, most of the time, the other half has got it good, and can't see or understand where the cheater is coming from until they either almost lose that person or DO lose that person.
It DOES come down to communication, but it's also about taking your partner seriously and working with them to fix any problems BEFORE it gets to that point, too.
avonlady
Sep 26, 2008, 12:34 PM
I would just rather divorce or dump the other person before cheating.. of course with my expierences with men I have a low bs tolereance
Synnen
Sep 26, 2008, 12:38 PM
Why does everyone act like cheating was a planned event?
It's not usually, you know. I didn't go out with the attitude "well, he's ignoring me, so I'm going to cheat on him".
It was more like "this other person is cool to hang out with, and I have a lot of fun with him, and my boyfriend is too busy with his friends to spend time with me anyway, so I'll just go out and have fun with this person"
After a long period of being ignored and taken for granted, someone else wanting you is a pretty heady experience--almost like being on drugs.
By the way---that boyfriend I cheated on? He's now my husband. We made it through that disaster, and he's never EVER taken me for granted again. I've also never given him a reason not to trust me again, either--it works both ways.
donf
Sep 27, 2008, 09:44 AM
Synmen,
I have to slightly disagree with you on the planned event. I can only speak for myself on this but I believe that the thought of cheating has to be approved of in advance by the person.
Otherwise, what happens when the little mental alarms go off telling you this is wrong. I have experienced that several times.
It doesn't matter whether I was "Being appreciated" at home the time or not.
I knew it would be wrong and that it would destroy the trust between my wife and I. I'm accountable to stop and extridite myself from the situation!
simoneaugie
Sep 27, 2008, 01:08 PM
For me, something has to be wrong in my marriage to even get into the mental state where I would be tempted to cheat.
Like Synnen said, I would first address the situation with talking, then more talking. The cheating would be an attempt to get caring and understanding that my spouse was unable, or unwilling to give. For instance if my man was unable to maintain an erection, but could talk to me about it, gave hugs and satisfied me with everything that did work, I would probably not cheat.
Perhaps, with men craving appreciation, not understanding, cheating is more of a chance event? A situation that tempts you, where looking at the consequences of your actions may or may not be considered?
talaniman
Sep 27, 2008, 03:36 PM
Most guys (gals too!) who cheat will use any excuse to justify their lazy, selfish, behavior. Whether they couldn't help themselves, or the wife (husband) doesn't treat me right. For whatever reason they use, they are still just trying to feel better. Isn't that's why humans do anything?
avonlady
Sep 27, 2008, 05:09 PM
To me once a cheat always a cheat... cheating is a deal breaker for me
donf
Sep 27, 2008, 07:38 PM
Again I have to caution you about cheating. In marriage you give and receive a vow of fidelity. If you break that vow, you are cheating, correct?
If you have not married and have not given or received a vow of fidelity how do you deem this to be cheating.
For example, my lady has just arrived in Barcelona, Spain this evening to meet a Cruise Ship and travel along the Mediterranean Coast for the next 9 days.
She has an expectation that I will behave myself during the time she's away. I have that same expectation for myself. We have vowed our commitment to each other via marriage.
So, just because I can go out and party without fear of getting caught, should I? My answer is no!
However I seem to remember about a year ago a posting agreeing in principle that free love was the way to go. Where are all you women now?
If any of you make sense of this, please let me know. I've been without a spouse for almost 24 hours now and I'm babbling. :)
JoeCanada76
Sep 27, 2008, 10:36 PM
why do married men cheat
Why do married women cheat
redwee74
Sep 27, 2008, 10:52 PM
Men cheat because they feel that they are not the star of a women's heart or that there is something better out there. Here is the main reason and I know that most of you guys are going to disagree but this is my observation, because a women has done them bad and they have put they're heart some place else and refuse to give it to another person. Most people who cheat are very selfish and do not really care about the one they are cheating on, or they care but are more interested in their own gain to worry about how the other in the relationship feels. Men are not the only ones to cheat and I believe that women are more heartless about it. But why men cheat is more of a physical attraction than with women. Let us be honest. Men are more about beauty women are more about other things. I am a man and know that physical attraction is a major part of our attraction, not all but important, if a man cheats it can be for several reasons. One a man has been hurt by a woman and has decided to never allow that to happen again, two, a man feels that his spouse is not filling his needs and three, a man feels that his spouse is not as attractive as she or he was before that time. I know very shallow but hey the truth. Hope this helps.
avonlady
Sep 27, 2008, 11:02 PM
People in general are trifling.
Synnen
Sep 28, 2008, 11:38 AM
Again, as a person who HAS cheated---I wouldn't call myself lazy or selfish. Actually, that's what I would call what was going on, on HIS part at the time. I cleaned the house, made him dinner, tried to seduce him, put on sexy lingerie, tried talking about it, tried taking him out new places--essentially, I tried everything I could to get our relationship back on track. That's not lazy, and it's not selfish.
What happened with the other guy wasn't planned--it really did kind of just happen. He made me feel good about myself, and made me feel sexy and appreciated---something my boyfriend hadn't done in some time.
So--it works both ways. Most of the time, when people cheat, it's because their partner is being lazy on maintaining their relationship.
Is there an expectation of fidelity in marriage? Of course! But we weren't married at the time, and had taken no vows.
I'm just saying that painting all cheaters with the same brush of "bad" or "lazy" or "selfish" is extremely short sighted of people. That, to me, is as silly as saying that all porn is bad, or that all masturbaters are porn addicts or whatever. EVERY situation is going to be different, but I don't think people run out looking for reasons to stray. I think they're HANDED those reasons by their partners, and that there is a serious communication problem for it to happen at all.
It seems to me though that you all put cheaters in the same category as rapists---people that just aren't fit to live and could never POSSIBLY be interested in a normal happy relationship again--and you do it without even knowing the full story in most situations.
ttoinc
Sep 28, 2008, 01:15 PM
Men and women are the same in this area look deep in your own heart,
And see your own answer to your question. I am sorry for your lost and I do feel for you. Be strong for yourself and over come the feelings of hurt.
If your one of good people in this life of pain, please stay the same and put up no walls to stop true love.
liz28
Sep 28, 2008, 04:20 PM
The only person that knows why they cheat are the cheater. Not all married men cheat nor do all married women cheat. You can list many reasons cheater cheat but it is best to hear it from the source to hear why they cheated.
jaime90
Oct 1, 2008, 07:41 AM
Why do married women cheat? There's only a 2% difference between the amount of men who cheat and the amount of women who cheat. Men cheat 2% more than women. So then, why do married women cheat?
donf
Oct 2, 2008, 10:14 AM
Hey I have a valid reason for cheating :). My lady is now in Italy still on her cruise.
She is spending more money then I told her she could. This putting too much pressure on me and I fell a need to cheat on her because I can and she'll never know :)
Is that a good enough reason or should I keep working at it. By the way, before the lady left on this trip, I gave her a $5 a day allowance. That wasn't too much was it?
Tuscany
Oct 2, 2008, 10:57 AM
Donf-
5 dollars!! That is perfect... she does not actually spend the $$ on the cruise. It goes right on your credit card. So TECHNICALLY she is not spending any cash. Perfect... oh and she could be cheating with some hunky Italian while you are home with a desperate housewife. Hmmmm interesting.
Great Post :)
Synnen
Oct 2, 2008, 11:33 AM
Hey I have a valid reason for cheating :). My lady is now in Italy still on her cruise.
She is spending more money then I told her she could. This putting to much pressure on me and I fell a need to cheat on her because I can and she'll never know :)
Is that a good enough reason or should I keep working at it. By the way, before the lady left on this trip, I gave her a $5 a day allowance. That wasn't to much was it?
Anger and revenge are stupid reasons for cheating.
But... I see that I am preaching to deaf ears about circumstances that could make you vulnerable to the temptation.
May you not learn to not judge others by actually having to walk in those shoes--because OBVIOUSLY, you're holier and "better" than those who fell off the righteous path due to their personal circumstances.
I understand now--I should have broken up with my boyfriend for ignoring me, moved out of the apartment where I was on the lease, continued to pay for my share of that, because by law I had to, and somehow (maybe by stripping?) found another place to stay in the meantime that I could afford. Even though I loved him, I should have left before letting someone else make me feel attractive again, and my now-husband should have NEVER forgiven me for my lapse and made changes in himself and we both should have never moved on from the situation because cheating is the ultimate EVIL! I should just be outcast from society because obviously, I am not content with the man that I love, and I might cheat on him again over and over, breaking his heart, because once I got that first taste of cheating, I couldn't learn from the lesson and the heartbreak--once a cheater, always a cheater, after all.
Go soak your heads. Either you can not understand the extreme low in self-esteem and loneliness that leads to the vast majority of one-time cheating, or you're just too "good" to have ever committed a similar "sin". Ever hear of "forgiveness" or "tolerance" or "understanding"?
May your judgement of others come back to you threefold.
NowWhat
Oct 2, 2008, 02:42 PM
As from someone cheated ON - I can not understand it. I can not tolerate it. Forgive it? I am trying. Forget it? NEVER.
Do I think I am better or holier? No. But I do not understand it.
I can not figure out what I did so wrong to deserve the pain and basic torture I was put through. I wasn't a good listener? I didn't cook good enough? What?
Of Course, I did lose 10 pounds because I was to sick or the knot that was constantly in my stomach, wouldn't allow me to eat. I didn't have to bother with make-up because no matter how good a "concealer" is - it was no match for the blood shot, puffy eyes I was sporting around.
And I did get to keep in touch with long distance family - because they called every day to make sure I hadn't gone off the deep end yet.
But - I guess because I was a piss-poor wife, I deserved it?
donf
Oct 2, 2008, 03:33 PM
Well Synnen, At last we see eye to eye on something.
I have spent many an evening dealing with people who have cheated or even worse have been cheated on. Also with both the repentant and I didn't do anything all that wrong because...
The pain is always serious and rockets through families in all manner of splintered ways. I've even spoken to children who seriously believe that their behavior caused the infidelity.
I rank this right up at the top along with abortion in terms of pain and suffering.
I still offer for your consideration the difference between being married and living with someone.
Marriage carries with it the vow of fidelity. Living with someone does not.
If I were to choose to move in with someone, I don't necessarily promise anything to the lady. I would let her infer all that she wants, but none of it is binding. Can you find any legal terms surrounding "Living together" that would take that definition to the same status as married?
Cheating whether in marriage or not is still an enormous trust breaker, period!
I bet we would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn't know that cheating is wrong and should not be entered into.
In your situation, you cheated because of the emotional damage you say was being done to you by his not appreciating you.
For me, I've been married for 43 years. During that time I've been under appreciated and the subject of anger does that give me the right to cheat? Does it mean if I feel bad about myself I'm exonerated for my actions.
What about the predators who lock in on someone's weak condition and try to score for the free sex. Does that clear the other party from the stigma of cheating.
What about the reality of two parties cheating on their spouses, marrying and then cheating again.
No, I say if the cheating is to stop, it must be done by the people contemplating cheating, regardless of how insidious the thought really is.
As for forgiveness, it's not my place to forgive. I'm not the offend party. I can console and offer guidance and try to find a way for the parties to reconcile, but that is were my limitations end. And forgetting, there is no way on this good Earth that I could look someone in the eyes and tell them to forget this betrayal. First of all, it can't be done. Second no one will leave themselves that open again. We all learn our lessons. As for me, I work on the "Where to from here." I try to give advice that helps a person not belittles them.
div2wice
Oct 2, 2008, 07:36 PM
Yes men can notice and be attracted to many women, that is how God designed them. The key is for them to be taught that it is wrong to cheat on their wives. Most aren't taught this, they are taught the opposite... that you're a man. You want something, you take it.
I personally think men cheat because of low self esteem. They feel cruddy about themselves so they think feeling wanted by another woman, or many, makes them a better person. They don't think about the affects of cheating, again, because they think it is OK and acceptable.
Others because of the control factor... they like the control they have over the situation. They can see "her" when they need to, then go home and get whatever they need from their wife. They are in complete control of the situation, especially if they're tricky and secretive about it enough to keep it form their wife. Its exciting for some, doing something on the low, and getting away with it. Sick really...
Tuscany
Oct 3, 2008, 04:23 AM
Anger and revenge are stupid reasons for cheating.
But...I see that I am preaching to deaf ears about circumstances that could make you vulnerable to the temptation.
May you not learn to not judge others by actually having to walk in those shoes--because OBVIOUSLY, you're holier and "better" than those who fell off the righteous path due to their personal circumstances.
.
Wow Synn I actually thought that Donf's post was a joke... I guess I have been away for to long. Maybe I should just read for awhile and not answer to get caught up.
Synnen
Oct 3, 2008, 05:19 AM
I just find it interesting that people continually ask the reasons anyone would cheat, ever, and then when someone ANSWERS that question, from personal point of view---all of a sudden, none of those reasons are valid to the people asking the question.
I personally think that any time there is cheating, in ANY relationship, that it comes down to a lack of communication. Somehow, someone isn't hearing what the other person needs from them, no matter how many times they try to say it, or how many different ways they phrase it.
Maybe that's not the case with chronic cheaters--you'd have to get one of them on here to answer that question, I guess.
But from those of us who have cheated, regretted, and worked on trust and forgiveness with our partners---I gave you an answer as to why someone cheats.
What I got in return was the morality on why cheating was bad. Guess what? You're right--everyone KNOWS that cheating is bad!
Everyone ALSO knows that child abuse is bad, sex before marriage is bad, teenage pregnancy is bad, driving too fast is bad, drinking too much is bad, doing drugs is bad, smoking is bad, impulse buying is bad, lying is bad, eating too much is bad, not excercising is bad--the list goes on and on! I bet you'd be hard pressed to find a person on this site that hasn't done at least ONE of the things I just listed. So we're ALL bad! It's just a matter of degree---and it's a matter of relativity and of regret.
I'd just like to add that I hope none of you who would never forgive call yourself Christian. The basic premise of Christianity is to forgive--and if you could not forgive someone who sincerely repented, well--you're not a very good Christian, and you're only hurting yourself with withholding forgiveness.
Tuscany--it's a matter of perspective, I think. As one of the "guilty" here, Donf's post came across as mocking and sarcastic to me, rather than as a true joke.
Tuscany
Oct 3, 2008, 11:06 AM
Funny Synn- Guilty too... actually cheating his how my husband and I got together... he had a girlfriend- but ended up with me...
And still I saw humor in it... I think that is the down fall of typing... you can't hear the tone of voice used.
donf
Oct 3, 2008, 01:52 PM
Actually all of my posts on this thread were tongue-in-cheek, not mocking.
But Synnen if there is any reason I gave that caused you ire, I apologize for that.
I still say it is not my place to forgive the transgression. And yes, I' Catholic so I qualify under the broad spectrum of Christian.
However, because it is not my place to forgive the transgressor does not in any way suggest that I would in any way cause punishment on the transgressor.
It is my firm belief that forgiveness if it is to come must come from the offended party. And in no way should I be telling anyone to forgive and forget.
Forgiveness is something that only the two parties can succeed at or not.
I'm neutral with respect to counseling a husband and wife in this area. Actually, the reasons do not matter so much to me as actions from where we are right now to tomorrow.
helplesswife
Oct 7, 2008, 02:20 PM
Wow, Avon lady you have been so hurt... That is so apparent with your words.
I have to say that I have been with my husband for 11 years, we have been married for 8 and we have 4 great children. I thought my marriage was the norm. I came from a divorced home and had no really good example of a marriage to lead from, same for my husband. 3 and a half months ago my husband had an affair with my best friend. Well safe to assume she is no longer my best friend... lol... Friends like that, who needs enemies right?
Well I decided to stay and try to work this out. I am currently in counseling along with my husband. The counselor was talking just last night that sometimes the reasons some men make these horrible choice's are because of anger. My husband has always felt like a failure, always thought lowly of himself and has always battled depression. Well this was his way of giving up. Knowing this does not take away the pain it has caused, or the distrust that he has to work very hard to earn back. But the book Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggrichs has helped my husband and I be able to understand each other more clearly, has helped up communicate better. It is still tense and rocky from time to time, but I am not a quitter and I refuse to let the like of a husband stealing hoosie win! I am still very angry with both of them. We have to always remember that it is a choice that the man or the woman makes and they have always had the chance to say NO and to walk away. It is NEVER your fault!
If you like get the book, read it... You will be amazed at what a difference it can make in your life! We are not guaranteed an amazing life with an amazing prince, it is perfectly natural to want that & we have to realize that we have to work at that being a reality!
Blessings...
brandibaby23
Oct 8, 2008, 05:19 PM
I would just rather divorce or dump the other person before cheating..of course with my expierences with men i have a low bs tolereance
This is it right here, if you are so Da mn unhappy lose the baggage!! It is easier than cheating and dealing now with guilt and someone who doesn't "appreciate" you. It takes a few moments and eight words. "I Don't wanna be with you anymore"
brandibaby23
Oct 8, 2008, 05:37 PM
I think the next post should be "why do Friends cheat with their friends boyfriend/husband"?
Why is it that the friend is always the one NOT the one Forgiven but The man always is? He is the one that should have to get the shaft. Yes the friend done wrong but wasn't she/he just helping you realize your "other" half was a cheater? Just something's to ponder LOL
Synnen
Oct 9, 2008, 03:59 AM
Actually, the next question should be:
"Why do people ask why men/women cheat, and then do nothing but attack cheaters (even reformed cheaters) when they get an answer they don't like or that doesn't make sense to THEM?"
I'm done answering the question of why people cheat. No one ever likes the answer, because it makes them look at themselves and wonder if they COULD have stopped it, if they had just paid attention to what their significant other was trying to say to them.
nicola89
Oct 9, 2008, 04:35 AM
I totally agree with the guys donf and fr chuck not all men cheat but some do my ex was 18 and he cheeted on me with a 13 year old girl she lied about her age and he fell for it . So be careful lads
donf
Dec 15, 2010, 10:15 AM
Chinchilla89,
I beg to differ with you. I'm a man and I met my wife when I was 17. We married at 18 and that was 45 years ago.
I have never cheated on my wife nor do I have any desire to cause that kind of pain to my Lady!
Synnen
Dec 15, 2010, 12:50 PM
This thread is from 2008!
CLOSED!