It feels like every movie or TV show I watch, cheating is one of the central plots. Whenever I read a book, magazine, or go online, cheating is the main conflict. I once read an article saying that cheating will become such a frequent event it will be mentioned in families like a child starting school or a parent getting a promotion at work. It will become even more frequent and something no family can avoid.

While reading, Sexy, by Jhumpa Lahiri, I had these impressions. Miranda, the protagonist sees very clearly the negatives affects of cheating by listening to her cousin and by spending time with Robin, but yet she continues to have an affair for months.

We read about how they “don’t mean to cheat”, they “did it for love”, or my personal favorite “It just felt right.” I don’t know what it is like to have the physical desire to be with someone else than Will, but I think all three excuses have major flaws. You never “Don’t mean to cheat.” It isn’t a reflex, it isn’t a habit. You did mean to cheat. Love is patient, love is kind, and cheating does not fit this description. And lastly, cheating never feels right.

Marriage is not always easy. Relationships all have their ups and downs. Sometimes relationships DO end. I think in this unperfect world, that is understandable. I don’t think cheating ever is understandable. It can be forgiven, but it is never tolerable, progressive, or kind.