Stand Your Ground

Upon discovery of marital infidelity, a cheated spouse would do one of three things: tolerate it, get even, or resolve it with the cheating spouse. The decision is determined by the faithful spouse's personality, economic dependence, and the circumstances surrounding the act of cheating. Situational differences among people facing spousal infidelity prevents us from forming generalizations on what should be done when faced with a cheating dilemma.

Tolerance connotes acceptance. Cheated spouses who choose this option are often perceived as weak and lacking of self-respect. There are many reasons given by cheated spouses why they choose to tolerate infidelity but the most common include love for the spouse, financial dependence due to lack of own source of income, and unwillingness to initiate break-up of family.

Getting even is an option often chosen when anger and revenge is allowed to rule over common sense. Although usually associated with cheated spouses possessing strong personalities, this option can likewise be performed by faithful spouses perceived to have weaker or quieter personalities. It all depends on the gravity of the effect on a person. As they say, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Resolving the issue of infidelity with the cheater would seem like the most difficult option at first glance. For how can a cheated spouse talk sensibly with a betrayer? How can he/she listen to the sordid details of the affair? How can they talk about a future life together when the present is such a mess?

The decision of a cheated spouse to stay or leave the relationship is beyond anybody's judgment. This is about what a person can accept or not in marriage. It is a time to firmly stand one's ground if the decision is to stay in the marriage and this would include exerting one's right as a legal spouse.