Should Infidelity Be A Deal Breaker in Relationships?

Every now and then, Nigerian Twitter goes agog with varying responses – defense, indifference, condemnation –  to a case of cheating and how the partner who was cheated on handled the situation. 

Some of these netizens believe that infidelity in a relationship is not enough reason to end things. Others feel that cheaters do not deserve to be in a relationship and anyone who is in one with them should do a service to themselves and leave. And then some say that leaving the relationship depends on how many times their partner has cheated.

Regardless of where you stand on this motion, this article will examine both sides of the argument. Keep reading.

Arguments for infidelity being a dealbreaker

A romantic relationship is a close and intimate connection between two people who share strong feelings of love, affection, and commitment to each other. Based on this description as an intimate connection, we will now examine four arguments that support the idea that infidelity should be a dealbreaker in a relationship.

Betrayal of trust

When partners agree to be in a romantic relationship, they implicitly promise to be faithful to each other. Infidelity violates this agreement thus resulting in a breach of trust, which can be difficult to recover from. 

When a partner cheats, it can lead to strained communication, emotional distress for the offended partner, and damage to the intimacy that exists in the relationship. When it gets to this point, some feel that it is only right to end the relationship. 

Emotional pain

Infidelity in a relationship hurts a lot because it breaks the trust and makes the offended partner feel unwanted, unsafe, and lied to. They could feel sad, anxious, and unsure about their future. They may also feel bad about themselves and wonder if they were the problem. 

Cheating can cause significant emotional pain, which can be long-lasting and even lead to depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Healing from this pain takes time and support from others. Because of all these, it seems clear why some consider infidelity to be a dealbreaker. 

Lack of respect

Infidelity shows a lack of respect for one’s partner and the relationship. How so? Cheating shows that someone doesn’t care about their partner’s feelings or the promises they made. 

It’s like they only think about themselves and don’t care who they hurt. It makes the person being cheated on feel sad, hurt, and unimportant. It can also be a sign of deeper issues, such as a lack of empathy or a tendency to prioritize one’s own desires over the well-being of others. 

Risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy

Cheating can lead to serious health risks. When people cheat, they often have secret sex with others without protection, which can spread diseases like HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. 

They may also get someone pregnant without planning to. This happens because cheating often involves lying, hiding secrets, and not talking openly about sexual health. 

Being honest and open with your partner, and using protection like condoms, can help prevent these problems that come with serious physical and emotional consequences.

Arguments against infidelity being a dealbreaker

Some people say that rather than breaking up due to infidelity, the couple could see it as a learning process in the relationship. Everything happens for a reason. The cheating may have happened to help your relationship improve. We’ll discuss in detail four arguments that they make to support their opinion.

Forgiveness and growth

Some people believe that forgiveness and growth are possible after infidelity. They often state the saying ‘’… to forgive is divine’’. But is it really possible for a relationship to work after a case of infidelity? Well, with therapy and effort, couples can work through their issues and come out stronger on the other side.

Context matters 

The context of the infidelity matters. Was it a one-time mistake, or a repeated pattern of behaviour? Was it a result of a momentary lapse in judgment, or a deeper issue, such as a lack of fulfillment in the relationship? 

Depending on how the cheating partner answers these questions, one might conclude that their infidelity doesn’t necessarily have to be a dealbreaker. 

Communication and rebuilding

In every dark cloud, they say, there is a silver lining. Some may consider infidelity to be an opportunity for couples to re-evaluate their relationship and communicate more openly and honestly. They thus conclude that with commitment and effort, the couple can rebuild their relationship and create a stronger, more resilient bond.

No one is perfect

People who feel that infidelity should not be a deal breaker in a relationship make the argument that everyone makes mistakes, and infidelity is quite a common mistake. After all, To err is human…

They believe that rather than ending the relationship, they could find the positive in the negative by working through the issue. They say that this will lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s partner.

In conclusion, whether infidelity should be a deal breaker in relationships depends on the specific circumstances and the individuals involved. 

While infidelity can cause significant pain and betrayal, it can also be an opportunity for growth, forgiveness, and rebuilding. 

Ultimately, the decision to end a relationship due to infidelity should be based on careful consideration of the nature of the relationship, the severity of the infidelity, and the potential for healing and growth.

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