What is the cost to society of infidelity? When one spouse chooses to be unfaithful by somehow altering his or her moral values so that such an action is now rationalized as being justifiable in his or her mind, what is the cost? There can be no doubt that much suffering and loss is inflicted upon his or her spouse and countless others. Somehow this is deemed acceptable. Further, marriage vows are broken; till death do us part has no meaning—no significance—and no value.
However, does not the greater damage occur to society? Society not only seems to now accept, but also to validate, such behavior. Friends and family of the offending party not only encourage but offer wholehearted support of such actions. Our children, who look to their role models, parents, and grandparents as examples, see these actions carried out by them, either as the married person or as the individual involved with the married person, as not only acceptable but desirable as well.
Are our values being so degraded that they are becoming equitable with those of a bad reality television show? Perhaps marriage should no longer be a lifetime commitment. Perhaps it should be a license subject to regular renewal—like a driver’s license. Those who want a change can just choose not to renew and go their separate ways with a pat on the back and the full support of those around them—just like they are doing now.
Susan Benolken
Tofte
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