FSB Author Article
Infidelity and Other Ways of Cheating
By Joel D. Block, Ph.D.,
Co-author of Sex Comes First: 15 Ways to Help Your Relationship . .
.
Without Leaving Your Bedroom
Deceptive Deceptions
For example, Jeff maintains his friendship with Glen, an old army buddy, in utter secrecy. His wife, Dorothy, has always disliked Glen and has asked Jeff not to see him. Jeff has agreed but is undeterred. "I find a way" he says. "All Dorothy knows is that I'm working late, running an errand or something. We go for a drink, hang out together, that sort of thing. If I told Dorothy, she would raise the roof, so why aggravate her?"
What else does Jeff hide to avoid confrontation with Dorothy? And what if Dorothy were to discover Jeff's deception? Kevin and Janice, who have lived together for the past few years, are on the verge of splitting because Janice contends that Kevin "never lives up to his word." Here's what Janice had to say about some troubling events
"I can't believe anything he tells me anymore. I ask him if he's taken care of the rent for this month and he assures me that he has. The next thing I know, the landlord is calling me and asking me about the rent. Or I ask him to do me a favor. He agrees and then doesn't come through."
Kevin's choice of conveniently "yessing" Janice serves to help him avoid confrontation at the expense of his credibility. Janice justifiably feels cheated as a result of Kevin's lies.
The Many Faces of Cheating
And what about the love partner who smokes? It's not only about second-hand smoke being a health hazard. One day the smoker is going to get sick. The non-smoking partner will be severely impacted both emotionally and practically. Is the smoker cheating? When we make a love commitment we become a team, and implicitly, it is also a vow to continue to grow and evolve as individuals. What about the love partner who is not becoming all he or she can?
Is the love partner who is letting his or her appearance deteriorate cheating? What about the partner who is critical, rather than supportive, in hard and not so hard times? And the partner who is slacking in his or her career? Or the partner who doesn't comply with medical prescriptions and health-care suggestions? All of these breaches will impact the relationship. It's not just about an individual letting him or herself down; in a love relationship it's also cheating the partner.
Subtle Cheating
Trust is the bedrock of any love relationship. It is the bloodline of romantic passion. "Subtle cheating" is like psychological termites. Each small bite may go unnoticed, but eventually the foundation will weaken. Addressing these forms of cheating is win-win. It betters each individual and contributes to relationships being more open, uninhibited and passionate.
©2009 Joel Block, Ph.D., author of Sex Comes First:15 Ways to Help Your Relationship . . . Without Leaving Your Bedroom
Author Bio
Joel Block, Ph.D., co-author of Sex Comes First: 15 Ways to
Help
Your Relationship . . . Without Leaving Your Bedroom is an
award-winning
psychologist,
practicing couple and sex therapy in New York and offering
couple-relationship seminars throughout the United States. Dr. Block
has appeared on the Today show, Good Morning America,
and CBS Morning. He lives in New York.
For more information please visit www.SexComesFirst.com
Visit Joel Block, Ph.D. at www.drblock.com