What the Stats Say
The situation at hand isn't uncommon. To put that in perspective, let's look at some statistics. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), approximately 15% of women and 25% of men have had "sex outside their marriage," leading to the logical conclusion that a sizeable proportion of relationships have dealt with infidelity.
In a study carried out by The Recovery Village, a whopping 49.1% of people decided to end their relationship immediately upon discovering their partner’s infidelity, whereas 13.6% opted to wait a while before ending things. The study further revealed that the remaining 36.4% elected to forgive and continue their relationship.
Considering Other Perspectives
While these stats say a lot, what's more, important is reflecting on your personal circumstance. Situations and perspectives might differ from person to person.
Love vs Respect: Indeed, love is a vital component in any relationship. But without mutual respect, can this love sustain? If he cheated once, can you trust him not to do it again? As per a report by Cosmopolitan, nearly 60% of men who cheated on their partners did so repeatedly. You need to gauge whether your love for him can overcome the lack of respect shown by the act of infidelity.
Open Communication: If your partner committed an act of infidelity and confessed it openly to you, that could potentially show they're remorseful about their actions. Healthy communication is pivotal and is a strong pillar of any relationship. His honesty and transparency might be the starting point of rebuilding trust.
Counseling and Therapy: Also, professional guidance from relationship counselors and therapists can help immensely in such situations. If your partner is willing to enroll in couple-therapy, it shows a certain commitment towards making things right again.
Remember, it's about you!
After considering these various angles, it’s important to understand—this decision is about YOU. No statistics or counsel can ultimately make this decision. You have the right to chew over whether forgiveness and reconciliation are the right options for you. If you decide to forgive your cheating boyfriend and get back together, do it because you believe in the relationship and your partner's ability to change. If you choose to walk away, know that it takes incredible strength and you should be proud of prioritizing your self-respect.
No matter what the decision is, it's crucial to remember that this process requires time, patience, and sincere effort. Healing from an act of infidelity isn't a cakewalk, whether you decide to walk away or stay.
Sources:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Infidelity.aspx
- The Recovery Village. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/resources/divorce/
- Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a22612427/why-men-cheat-statistics/
