Cheating: What They Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Them?
The sad reality is that many people in relationships will cheat at some point or another, whether it be a drunken kiss or a full-blown affair.
The question is, do you tell your partner about the affair once it’s finished or do you keep tight-lipped?
Tracy Cox questioned the topic in the MailOnline and her answer was that honestly isn’t always the best policy in this situation, but can it be?
If you’ve been having an affair which ended, for whatever reason, surely it has to be better to tell your partner?
We’ve been debating the topic all afternoon in the FemaleFirst offices and it has completely divided us.
Myself and Helen came to the conclusion that these situations always have a way of airing themselves eventually, so why not tell them yourself and be clear that you did the right thing in the end.
As Emily said, “Affairs always come out, and it is better that it came from you and not someone else.”
Emily also sided with Taryn on the guilt factor. Taryn said she wouldn’t be able to handle the guilt eating away at her.
But then would there necessarily be any guilt? You had an affair, presumably because there was something missing from you marriage, and now the affair has ended because you relationship is back on track.
Could one argue that there is little to feel guilty about and that an affair could have actually helped your marriage rather than hindered it?
Rebecca had an interesting perspective. She said, “Depending on the situation, if I wasn’t happy in the marriage then yes because it would be away out. If I was still in love and wanted to give it a go then I wouldn’t say anything, but would deal with the consequences.”
Despite this, Rebecca also said that if it was the other way around, she would appreciate the honesty but never take them back which we all agreed with, bar Cameron.
In contrast, Cameron said that he would take his partner back if she cheated on him and told him about it.
So the general consensus seems to be that honesty is the best policy. Yes, it was a mistake and everyone makes them but being honest about it will give you a fairer chance to make it work.
If you relationship is strong enough it may just weather it, and if not then maybe it was for the best.
There is always one more way to broach the situation, as our intern James added, “I would apply to ITV's Jeremy Kyle show.”
Let us know your thoughts about this subject by commenting below or tweeting us @FemaleFirst_UK
Cara Mason @cara_mason
tagged in Marriage Love relationships Tracey Cox relationship advice cheating Partner Relationship Affair Cheater