Infidelity
Infidelity can be a very destructive force within a relationship. It is a breach of trust and a violation of the rules and boundaries, which are usually unwritten and unspoken, which exist between two people. The betrayal felt by an act of infidelity, which can be sexual or non–sexual, is something which some relationships are never able to recover from.
Infidelity is not necessarily about the results of a physical relationship. It can be simply a breakdown in trust, which can be caused by lying and disloyalty. Infidelity can be about physical intimacy, but is just as likely to be about emotional intimacy.
Even the suspicion of infidelity can cause tremendous harm to a relationship, as trust can be very difficult to rebuild. Sexual infidelity is often called an affair, and within marriage usually referred to as adultery. What is acceptable in one relationship may not be acceptable in another. This also applies to the difference between cultures. Even in open relationships, boundaries can be crossed. This can also apply if a person is attracted to someone, but never acts on the attraction. Whether this is regarded as infidelity will be determined by the views and perspective of the individual.
Some people can regard an online relationship as infidelity, whilst others may not agree, because there is no physical contact. Today, researchers suggest that the chances of people having an affair during the course of their marriage are fifty–fifty. Approximately ninety per cent of first time divorces may be due to infidelity, although as lack of honesty is one of the biggest factors in infidelity, this can be difficult to evaluate.
