How your relationship can survive infidelity

Cheating in relationships has been a norm since time immemorial. This, however, does not reduce the effect infidelity has in relationships.

Some researchers have placed the estimated marital infidelity rate occurring in women at about 2.3 percent and 4.3 percent in men.

This statistic varies from the 11 percent of women and 25 percent of men who will likely cheat on their partners.

Despite most couple’s desire to remain together after either one or both parties cheat, handling infidelity is tasking.

Therapists believe that the most important factors in a relationship’s success or failure, after infidelity, are the partners involved.

Therapists dealing with cheating, tend to focus first, on the hurting partner. They focus on exploring if that partner is willing to continue with the relationship or move on.

The next concern is the unfaithful partner because usually, an unfaithful partner cheats out of the desire for things they may not find in their relationship.

Triggers are explored next: Why did the partner cheat? What did they feel they needed but could not find in their partner?

Could the trigger have been a loss of understanding, focus, faith, self-worth?

After the triggers are explored, the next step is to re-stabilise the relationship between the couple. In doing this, it is very important for both parties to come clean on how they are feeling.

Proper communication will ensure that the feelings of both parties are transmitted effectively.

In communicating, the cheating partner may feel safe enough to open up fully on what they want. By doing this, both parties can re-affirm their plans: what they hope for, and how to go about it.

When the stage of re-affirmation has been crossed by the couple, the relationship can take a fresh start. It is time to recommit and reconnect.

Taking a vacation, or just spending time together, is a sure way to set the relationship on a fresh start.

Contrary to popular opinion, a cheating partner is not always the devil. Both parties can always work things out, no matter how gloomy it may seem when infidelity crops up.

By all means, a relationship can survive infidelity, but you have to be willing to put in the work.