In the past, when you heard that someone had cheated, your suspicions went straight to the man. But today, that has changed. According to a survey, the number of women who admit to having an affair has risen by 40 percent since 1990.
Is this a positive thing? Does it show that women are now empowered as they “break the chains of monogamy” and “embrace their sexuality?”
This article explores reasons why cheating isn’t empowering and how the infidelity trend among some “modern” women is reversing the progress of feminism.
Reversing the progress of feminism
It’s true that, in several societies, women have been oppressed for ages. Female sexuality was taboo, and women were almost passive companions in their relationships.
However, because of feminist movements and modern legislation, women are now empowered. They can vote, hold managerial or leadership positions, choose to divorce their partners, and freely express what they want (or don’t want) in their relationships.
Sadly, with the advent of technology, we are seeing the rise of infidelity. Even worse, a few feminists, magazines, and even movies tout infidelity as “sexual liberation.” They tell women not to feel guilty about cheating because it’s a way of “reclaiming autonomy over their bodies.”
This message may appeal to some people. After all, we are told monogamy is a modern invention. But if you are in a committed relationship, here are reasons why anyone shouldn’t cheat.
Cheating hurts your partner and bystanders
The number one rule of cheating is “never tell your partner!” Unfortunately, you will be caught sooner or later, and the hurt it causes will reverberate across your family. It hurts your partner and children, as well as your parents, because it speaks volumes about your upbringing or their parenting.
Loss of respect and trust
When you get caught, your partner will begin uncovering the number of times you lied and covered up, and trust goes out the window. If they can’t trust you, how do you discuss other issues like parenting, finances, or future investments?
It sets a poor example
Cheating sets a poor example for your children or anyone who looks up to you. It shows them that commitment is trivial.
Yes, every relationship has frustrating challenges, but you show them to avoid relationship issues instead of staying put and solving any problems.
Poor overall health
You’ll find a few anecdotes online of people saying they became better after cheating; they became better partners and parents and significantly improved their professional lives. Nothing is further from the truth because the secrets and conniving meetings will eat you up, affecting you mentally and physically.
Besides the burden of secrets, there are diseases to contend with if you aren’t careful.
Creates bigger issues
In the long run, trying to solve issues by having an affair creates more significant issues than the ones you’re attempting to run away from. New problems include separation or divorce, disdain from your children, or revenge.
Emotional dysfunction
Many reasons lead to cheating, including anger, revenge, feeling unappreciated, or sexual desires. However, these reasons don’t justify cheating. Betrayal may significantly affect the cheated partner emotionally, impacting their sense of self-worth and self-confidence.
Cheating also shows a lack of emotional maturity on the cheating partner’s part. It shows emptiness, emotional frustrations, and other deep-seated issues that probably have nothing to do with the person being cheated on.
Promote toxicity
Male toxicity, characterized by violence, lack of emotions, promiscuity, and raw power, has been under the spotlight in the past few years. Unfortunately, these are the same traits that some people are repackaging and selling to women in the name of feminist girl power. The question is, why adopt the same narcissistic traits and abuses that have hurt women for so long?
Also, sadly, cheating among women reinforces the traditional stereotypes of women as inferior, weak, or temptresses among some backward-thinking people. It’s sad because our mothers and grandmothers fought so much to move away from barbaric practices like forced matchmaking or female circumcision.
The pitfalls of consumer culture
Today, we are seeing an ever-increasing commodification of people, and infidelity is becoming a marketable brand of feminism among some influencers, dating “experts,” and affair apps. Modern messages focus on individualism, instant gratification, and shallow pursuits. You’ll see meaningless but cool sound bytes like: “Everything you do is empowering!” or “My body, my choice!”; messages meant to entice you to follow new fads.
Of course, these messages are powerful when taken with a positive stride. However, cheating isn’t empowering; it’s a path toward self-destruction and the suffering of others. After all, even if you pick a new partner, once the novelty fades, the same issues you are running away from will pop up again — and again and again.
Relationships need work, and most of this work is practical and boring. Still, you can find ways to ignite the romance in your relationships or seek help from trusted people when frustrations get out of hand.
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