Infidelity

Types of Infidelity

Affairs have been put into four categories: (1) object affairs, (2) brief sexual affairs, (3) emotional affairs, and (4) secondary relationship. Object affairs include infidelity denoting that the person cheating on his or her spouse or partner neglects his or her primary relationship by focusing solely on work, professional development, prospective promotion in his or her careers, hobbies, video games, and the like. Brief sexual affairs, commonly referred to as one-night stands, are usually motivated by sexual desire alone and do not involve emotional attachment. An emotional affair includes disclosing thoughts, feelings, and strong emotions with the lover. Typically, there is no physical contact, just the sharing of sentiments. A secondary relationship means there are two partners in one's life at the [Page 372]same time, and both include sexual and emotional relationships.

Other scholars have delineated several other types of infidelity. These include opportunistic infidelity, obligatory infidelity, romantic infidelity, chaotic romantic infidelity, and online infidelity. The person who commits opportunistic infidelity is in love and committed to the relationship with a partner. When he or she finds a chance encounter to have sex with someone, he or she takes advantage of this opportunity. This situation can be the result of momentary emotional interactions. Those committing this type of infidelity may not have had plans to cheat, but they do so as a result of succumbing to their sexual desires. Using alcohol or drugs may facilitate having such a relationship. Even if the unfaithful party succumbs to irrepressible sexual desire at the time of the act, he or she may still have strong love for and attachment to his or her usual partner. When the adulterous act is over, the adulterer often feels decidedly remorseful.

Obligatory infidelity refers to those cases where people feel pressured to engage in sexual acts from those of higher status or social positions. The person feeling pressured may fear resisting the sexual advances of another because of the status of that individual. Those who cannot reject such sexual overtures typically experience psychological conflict, as they feel forced to make a moral choice between their partner and those offering sexual advances.

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