Cheating

I found this article that looks at reasons why couples embark on affairs.
Due to long hours away from the spouse and being in the company of others, its not surprising that there are temptations, especially when one is stuck in a humdrum marriage. Plus new age communications such as mobiles phones make it easier to cheat.
Does flirting count as cheating? In my opinion, No. If theres no genuine feelings or sexual intimacy involved and is done as a trivial hobbie, then it’s OK. As long as the two parties are OK with this and know their limits, then flirting is fine. However, if one party doesn’t feel comfortable with this, then the other should be respectful of this and avoid it. Besides, isn’t this a relationship is about? Compromise?
How about meeting up with someone of the opposite sex while in a relationship? Again as long as there are no intimate feelings or contact that’s fine. However, there is a risk that this could lead to emotional infidilty, especially of the pair meet up too many times and the spouse is neglected.
What struck me the most about this article is that there are now sites that hook unhappy maried people twith others who want to cheat. Shocking. Seems like everyone has forgotten the importance of trust and loyalty. Some people do it to feel young again and have the excitement of relationship at start. But I’m wondering if this is immature and selfish thinking? I think sites like these just encourage marriage break-ups which can seriously affect the children. Yet people in affairs very rarely think about this, which is sad. Whenever I hear about an affair, not only to I feel sorry for the cheated, but also for the children who are stuck in the middle of this. If there was more communication in the relationship, surley both parites will be much happier and no one gets hurt? Personally, I feel it’s better for the couple if they talked about ways in which they can spice up marriage as opposed to getting it elsewhere.

Link:

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,,1509033,00.html