Are Online Relationships Cheating?
Are Online Relationships Cheating?
Are Online Relationships Cheating?
It has long been debated by many what constitutes cheating in a relationship. Some people are of the mindset that in order for someone to cheat on their partner, they must engage in at least some form of physical contact such as kissing or sex. On the other hand, there are those that argue that cheating can be done on a less physical but more emotional level when their relationship with someone other than their partner begins to cause their partner to feel neglected or undesired. With that said, are online relationships cheating when you are already seriously involved in a real-life romance?
In modern times, the Internet has provided countless avenues for socially interacting with others, even complete strangers. Chat rooms allow you to meet and engage in conversations with other people with common interests or similar demographics. Similarly, social networking web sites are a very popular way for people to share their daily activities, their hobbies, and even their real-life social circle with others. However, it is the anonymity of many online social venues that intrigue users.
On the Internet, you can be who you want to be. You can share whatever level of information about yourself with others that you are comfortable with, and when things become uncomfortable or stale, you can simply leave. Unlike "real" relationships that often carry with them greater responsibilities, online relationships can be much more casual in nature. It is the easy going, no strings attached, nature of the online relationship that peaks the interest of many people.
It's almost human nature to want to flirt. Many people flirt when in conversation with someone, especially with a person that attracts them physically, without even recognizing their actions as such. Flirting, in most cases, is considered to be a completely harmless act that is simply done to boost one's own self-confidence. In that fashion, flirting can even be a healthy social interaction to partake in. However, online relationships can evolve to a deeper level.
So, the question is, at what point are online relationships considered cheating? Well, obviously if the relationship moves from behind the keyboard to the hotel bed, then it has become physical and most will agree, hands down, that it is considered cheating. On the other hand, the relationship doesn't necessarily have to become physical to be hurtful to your partner. As mentioned earlier, simply by creating an environment where your real-life partner feels neglected or undesired can be more than sufficient to cause problems in your relationship. Whether or not the online relationship at that point is considered to be cheating or not is pretty much in the eyes of the beholder, but do you really want your partner to be unhappy?
Now, I'm not saying that if you are in a real-life relationship that all of those online ones are going to be considered cheating. Not all online relationships are bad, and in this day and age, they are very much a normal part of our required human interaction. What you may want to do, however, is talk with your real-life partner about your online relationships. Show your partner that you care about his or her needs by asking them for their opinion on the matter. See if the two of you can find an agreement as to what constitutes healthy online interaction and what crosses the line into cheating.
Are online relationships cheating? Whether or not they are can be argued by any number of angles as everyone views the definition of "cheating" differently. To be safe, consider your feelings as if your partner had a relationship with someone online that is exactly like the one you are questioning right now. Would you feel hurt? Would you feel "cheated?" Then, as they say, do unto them as you would want done to you.
Greeting Card Companies That You Can Send Cards Online 5 Steps to Discovering Online Success Increasing the Online Awareness of Your Blog The Real Free TV Shows To Watch Online DinoDirect—an Emerging Online Power Safe, Secure, Surprising: It's The Joys Of Online Lesbian Dating Online Promotions Make Websites Seem Unpleasant Buying Swimwear Online: As Tough As It Sounds? How To Finance Your Online Phd Degree Fees Get Paid To Write Articles Online-What You Will Need Online Dating - Do Finances Really Matter? Make Money Online The Efficient way Boost your bridal bust online