If You Cheat On Your Partner, Should You Confess?

Cheating seems to be much too commonplace these days and a lot of people have a very cavalier attitude about it. Many people assume that it’s just something that will happen and feel that monogamy is an unnatural state for humans to put themselves into.

Other people prefer a monogamous relationship, but will simply “accept” that their partners cheat on them. They don’t LIKE it, but figure there’s not a lot they can do about it. This is typically the attitude of women more than men as it is long been felt that “boys will be boys.” While that attitude may have worked back in the day, it should be accepted that it is now the 21st century and things are not the same as they were once upon a time.

Women have a right to expect fidelity from their partners, just as men do. That dividing line is no longer there in most circles, and that’s the way it should be. In other words, what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander these days.

The definition of cheating seems to be something that is worked out between the partners in each relationship. For some, there IS no “wiggle room.” There will be no cheating, period. Other couples agree on certain rules and guidelines when it comes to what is acceptable and what isn’t.

The question comes up when a partner has actually broken the rules set within his or her relationship. This question is: Should this person confess the cheating to his or her partner? There is no one correct answer to this question as there are so many aspects to consider for each individual situation.

Consider that you’ve succumbed to temptation and cheated. However, you realized instantly that it was a mistake and you have resolved never to repeat it. Before rushing off to confess your indiscretion to your partner, think about a few things first:

1. Is there any way that your partner could find out about what you’ve done?

2. Is this something that you’ve done before and always promised yourself that you’d never repeat it or is this truly the first time?

3. Will confessing to your partner make YOU feel better but cause pain and misery for your partner?

Now, if this is something that you’ve never done before and you’re immediately ashamed, think hard about why it happened. What’s different in your relationship now? What was it about this particular person that made you go through with cheating? Those are important questions for you, and only you, to answer in the beginning. Figure out why you cheated so that it won’t happen again.

If your partner will be devastated by this news, and you’re really serious about never doing it again, it may be best to keep your secret and suffer in silence. Confession may be good for your soul, but harmful to your relationship.

The biggest reason to confess is if there’s a real danger of your partner finding out. In that case, this is news that should come from you and no one else.