Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater?

Few topics lead our hearts to race like the topic of infidelity. Infidelity is incredibly painful and common. Research indicates that cheating occurs in up to 20 percent of marriages (Blow & Hartnett, 2005) and up to 70 percent of unmarried partnerships (Wiederman & Hurd, 1999). Infidelity creates tremendous disruption, internally and relationally. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons given as the cause of divorce (Scott, Rhoades, Stanley, Allen, & Markman, 2013). Whether the cheating marks the end of a relationship or the beginning of a journey toward rebuilding, the pain of infidelity lingers.

We have heard the adage, “Once a cheater, always a cheater.” But how true is it? Researchers have found evidence that people who report cheating in a previous relationship are more likely to cheat in a subsequent relationship (Knopp, Scott, Ritchie, Rhoades, Markman, Stanley, 2017), so dating someone with a history of cheating is certainly cause for concern. However, I firmly believe that none of us can be defined by our worst behaviors. What marks the difference between someone who continues cheating and someone who uses their painful behavior as a catalyst for growth and healing? Willingness to practice relational self-awareness.

Relational self-awareness (RSA) is the ongoing practice of understanding who you are in the context of your intimate partnerships. It is about understanding your relational beliefs, formed by the family you grew up with, your cultural context, personality, and life experiences, as these guide your relational behaviors. Without relational self-awareness, we remain stuck, doomed to repeat our mistakes. With relational self-awareness, our mistakes become what I call FGOs (effing growth opportunities).

If your partner has a history of cheating, the two of you must figure out the degree to which your partner is to committed to practicing relational self-awareness. RSA shapes the stories we tell about our lives, so look at the story your partner tells about their cheating. I am going to highlight two low RSA stories and one high RSA story.

Low RSA Story #1: The Blame Game

“My ex was crazy. You would have cheated on them, too. The relationship was so toxic and it needed to end. I was unhappy, so of course, I looked elsewhere.”

RSA is about taking responsibility for ourselves in the service of growth and healing. If your partner is stuck blaming a difficult partner or an unhappy relationship, they will be unable to integrate the cheating chapter into the larger story of their life. They won’t learn from the transgression, creating a risk of repeating the same mistake.

Low RSA Story #2: The Shame Game

“I can’t talk about it because it makes me feel like a bad person. We just have to move on.”

The opposite of blame (“It’s all their fault”) is shame (“It’s all my fault”). Like blame, shame will prevent your partner from integrating their mistake into a larger understanding of who they are as a person. The experience is shoved in a box labeled “Danger. Do not open.” That which is cordoned off remains very much alive and at risk of wreaking havoc.

High RSA Story: Self-Compassion Meets Accountability

“I cheated in my last relationship. When the infidelity came to light, I was deeply ashamed and confused about my behavior, so I did work (for example therapy, reading, support groups) and began to understand why I was vulnerable to betraying my partner’s trust. I recognize now that I was acting out from a place that was unhealed inside of me. I am committed to living differently now. I know to turn toward my partner when I am upset so that resentment cannot creep in. I practice healthy boundaries. I have a deep relationship with and acceptance of my sexuality. I understand this aspect of my past is upsetting for you, so I am willing to continue to talk about it. I also feel clear that my self-awareness and humility inoculates us.”

A high RSA story is one in which your partner is both grounded in a deep understanding of themselves and connected to you and your concerns.

There is a risk in choosing to partner with someone with a history of infidelity; your fear is understandable. Your job is to avoid being accusatory and judgmental, as this is likely to put your partner on the defensive and keep you from getting the reassurance you need. The goal is to create a conversation with your partner that positions the two of you shoulder-to-shoulder looking together at the question, “How will we cultivate an atmosphere that promotes the values of respect, security, and integrity?” Use the discussion questions below to guide your conversations.

Discussion Questions

1. How much remorse do you feel for your past cheating?
2. How much responsibility do you take for your behavior?
3. To what degree have you forgiven yourself?
4. What have you learned about yourself from the experience of cheating?
5. How do you define fidelity?
6. How committed are you to practicing fidelity?
7. What do you do to ensure you stay in your integrity?
8. When do you feel most connected to me? When do you feel least connected to me?
9. To what degree do the people in your life (family, friends, coworkers) support your commitment to fidelity?
10. What can I do to support your commitment to fidelity?

Infidelity Essential Reads

How Betrayals and Affairs Begin With Small Excuses

Cheating Is Complicated

The answers to these questions can help you determine a clear path forward, a path that helps both of you feel confident about your future together.

Learn more about relational self-awareness in Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Relationship You Want and learn more about sexual self-awareness in Taking Sexy Back: How to Own Your Sexuality and Create the Relationships You Want.

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