5 Reasons to Forgive a Cheating Husband

It was a one-time thing. “Cheating” is a broad term. A man who has had one drunken hookup with no emotions involved is a cheater. A man who has been sleeping with multiple women behind his wife's back is a cheater. A man who has a long-term romantic or sexual affair with another woman is a cheater. Some women can't forgive a long-term affair that involves emotional attachment, but they are able to forgive a momentary indiscretion. We're all human, after all.

The couple was on a hiatus. Some couples that have relationship issues decide to take a break in their relationship. If such a couple doesn't discuss whether they are allowed to have sex with other people during this relationship hiatus, a misunderstanding may occur. Most men don't consider sleeping with someone while on a break cheating, whereas most women do. However, if they decide to reconcile, women tend to forgive their husband for having sex with someone else.

She was already considering an open relationship. An open relationship is a type of non-monogamous relationship in which both parties are allowed to have sex with other partners. If a woman was already thinking about an open marriage when her husband cheated on her, she might let it slide and simply suggest they discuss ground rules before he sleeps with someone else again.

They are more friends than lovers. Some couples keep the spark alive throughout their marriage, and some don't. There are married couples that consider non-sexual affection, mutual support and common interests more important than sexual chemistry and passion, so adultery doesn't bother them that much. If the couple is married solely for practical reasons (marriage of convenience), cheating shouldn't be an issue either.

The husband is truly sorry. Sometimes genuine and heartfelt repentance is all it takes to forgive a cheater. If he admits he was wrong, doesn't try to put the blame on his wife and wants to earn her trust again, he might deserve a second chance. However, only time will tell whether the husband was truly and sincerely sorry.

Of course, there are many more reasons why women forgive their cheating husbands: naivete, insecurities, fear of loneliness, common children, being financially dependent on their husband, etc. However, this doesn't mean that all these reasons are valid. It is impossible to save your marriage if there is nothing to save.