This is a question that is becoming surprisingly more common in the cyber age we're living in. Online flings and long distance "romances" are becoming quite pervasive in our culture.
Sometimes these online or cyber relations become a hindrance to actual interpersonal relationships. At times, they have ruined marriages and destroyed families.
Is it cheating if you've never physically touched the other person involved? If you ask any of the families that have been decimated by cyber relationships you'd be hard pressed to find one among them that would honestly answer "no."
It's one thing to have a healthy fantasy life that may or may not include each and every one of the "Girls of Maxim" at one time or another. It's something else entirely to carry on a relationship with another person that includes emotional adultery, cyber sex, or even mutual self gratification in the process.
There was a U.S. President a few years back that wanted to argue semantics over what is and is not a sexual relation. I'd argue that you don't need to touch another woman to be cheating on your wife with her.
To answer the initial question, you better believe you can cheat on your wife or husband without ever laying a hand on another person. But that doesn't mean your marriage is over. The only way it's over is if you allow it to be.
So what can you do to fight a connection so strong?
Sever it completely. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Don't write a nice long goodbye email. Just, end it and avoid temptation altogether.
It may sound harsh but if it can save your marriage it isn't too much to ask. If talking with the "other person" is going to be too much of a temptation for you the best course of action is to avoid contact period.
What else do I need to do to make things right with my marriage?
One of the most important things you are going to need to do is make sure that you are working on your marriage and not just avoiding temptation. Avoidance will only take you so far. If you don't get what you need at home you will find yourself in the same spot down the road.
Find a way to get what you need from your husband or your wife. That is the only way you will ultimately be able to make things right and get your marriage back on track.
The bottom line is that if you feel like you need to hide the relationship, your spouse would be upset if he or she discovered the relationship, or you feel guilty over the relationship there is a problem. If it feels like cheating, it's cheating.
It's not too late to save your marriage. You can still get your husband back no matter how close you came to doing the deed with another man.
Sometimes these online or cyber relations become a hindrance to actual interpersonal relationships. At times, they have ruined marriages and destroyed families.
Is it cheating if you've never physically touched the other person involved? If you ask any of the families that have been decimated by cyber relationships you'd be hard pressed to find one among them that would honestly answer "no."
It's one thing to have a healthy fantasy life that may or may not include each and every one of the "Girls of Maxim" at one time or another. It's something else entirely to carry on a relationship with another person that includes emotional adultery, cyber sex, or even mutual self gratification in the process.
There was a U.S. President a few years back that wanted to argue semantics over what is and is not a sexual relation. I'd argue that you don't need to touch another woman to be cheating on your wife with her.
To answer the initial question, you better believe you can cheat on your wife or husband without ever laying a hand on another person. But that doesn't mean your marriage is over. The only way it's over is if you allow it to be.
So what can you do to fight a connection so strong?
Sever it completely. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Don't write a nice long goodbye email. Just, end it and avoid temptation altogether.
It may sound harsh but if it can save your marriage it isn't too much to ask. If talking with the "other person" is going to be too much of a temptation for you the best course of action is to avoid contact period.
What else do I need to do to make things right with my marriage?
One of the most important things you are going to need to do is make sure that you are working on your marriage and not just avoiding temptation. Avoidance will only take you so far. If you don't get what you need at home you will find yourself in the same spot down the road.
Find a way to get what you need from your husband or your wife. That is the only way you will ultimately be able to make things right and get your marriage back on track.
The bottom line is that if you feel like you need to hide the relationship, your spouse would be upset if he or she discovered the relationship, or you feel guilty over the relationship there is a problem. If it feels like cheating, it's cheating.
It's not too late to save your marriage. You can still get your husband back no matter how close you came to doing the deed with another man.