Anonymous wrote:^ I am one of the pps that always had sex. I never denied him. But, I will readily admit as I was busy, having trauma about parents illness it was more “duty like” at that time. We always had passion, good sex, but during emotional turmoil all I could offer was myself. The miscommunication was very big about that. It felt particularly hurtful to be cheated on when you are willing to do it (duty) even when going through tremendous internal pain (again not communicated or understood). But he readily admits (as bravado as he is, outgoing appears, so confident), his self esteem was at all time low then and he felt less manly, that I didn’t love him, etc. That’s what drove him to find a monogamous married NSA as stated in that article vs a guy with a sex addiction just doing randos. It was the external validation more than the person of the sex, which admittedly neither was not that great. So much resonated with that article for me too and it is hard to read.
Anonymous wrote:^ I am one of the pps that always had sex. I never denied him. But, I will readily admit as I was busy, having trauma about parents illness it was more “duty like” at that time. We always had passion, good sex, but during emotional turmoil all I could offer was myself. The miscommunication was very big about that. It felt particularly hurtful to be cheated on when you are willing to do it (duty) even when going through tremendous internal pain (again not communicated or understood). But he readily admits (as bravado as he is, outgoing appears, so confident), his self esteem was at all time low then and he felt less manly, that I didn’t love him, etc. That’s what drove him to find a monogamous married NSA as stated in that article vs a guy with a sex addiction just doing randos. It was the external validation more than the person of the sex, which admittedly neither was not that great. So much resonated with that article for me too and it is hard to read.
Anonymous wrote:As others have stated, every person is different and so is every marriage and every cheater.
From a woman, Alice Walker, that has written two books after interviewing countless users of Ashley Madison:
"Where a lack of sexual satisfaction at home motivates women to seek out affairs, men crave the emotional connection and support their spouse neglects to provide. For married women, their own orgasms and sexual pleasure motivated them, while for men hearing praise for their sexual prowess made men feel worthy and manly. It is the cry for external validation, particularly at a low point in middle age. Articulating that feeling of under-appreciation and asking, “Why aren’t you interested in me anymore?” can be a very hard thing to do. How did it come to this? An inequality of the division of household labor results in some long-held resentment on the part of their wives. Possibly it’s simply that household chores, her job and childcare dominated their wives’ time and energy, leaving nothing left for their husbands. Regardless, these men internalized the dynamics in those relationships as a condemnation of them and their masculinity. To them, their wives treat sex as a chore and lack all enthusiasm about it. Men internalize that disinterest as, “I’m not good enough” and “I’m a disappointment.” They feel undervalued not only as a sexual partner, but as a person. Their outside partners function as the person to whom they go for that praise and recognition. And more often than not, just one “monogamous” affair partner is all they need, unlike studies that show many married women, prefer to maintain several concurrent affairs."
A total disinterest in changing their home life exists as a common understanding between affair partners. That is, they prefer the life they share with their spouse. As I mentioned, these men carry a deep love for their wife and 96% of them have absolutely no interest in leaving the marriage. One participant says:
“[My outside partner and I] know that we do not desire a change in our primary partners. We are not ‘in love.’ We enjoy each other, thank each other, and go back to our lives. My wife is my best friend. I enjoy her immensely. Our personalities match well. Our goals are well aligned, as I believe are the goals of my outside partner.”
These men were in real pain before they decided to cheat, both from the neglect they were facing and the realization that the reality of marriage didn’t line up with their expectations. For many, part of that pain persists knowing that the woman who’s now satisfying their needs isn’t the one woman they ultimately want that satisfaction from: Their wife.
Would these men be happiest with just their wife? Contrary to the common “men can’t resist temptation” narrative, yes, they would be (most men actually enjoy monogamy and are often far less interested in the idea of an open marriage than women are). But circumstances change and reality sets in.
Anonymous wrote:As others have stated, every person is different and so is every marriage and every cheater.
From a woman, Alice Walker, that has written two books after interviewing countless users of Ashley Madison:
"Where a lack of sexual satisfaction at home motivates women to seek out affairs, men crave the emotional connection and support their spouse neglects to provide. For married women, their own orgasms and sexual pleasure motivated them, while for men hearing praise for their sexual prowess made men feel worthy and manly. It is the cry for external validation, particularly at a low point in middle age. Articulating that feeling of under-appreciation and asking, “Why aren’t you interested in me anymore?” can be a very hard thing to do. How did it come to this? An inequality of the division of household labor results in some long-held resentment on the part of their wives. Possibly it’s simply that household chores, her job and childcare dominated their wives’ time and energy, leaving nothing left for their husbands. Regardless, these men internalized the dynamics in those relationships as a condemnation of them and their masculinity. To them, their wives treat sex as a chore and lack all enthusiasm about it. Men internalize that disinterest as, “I’m not good enough” and “I’m a disappointment.” They feel undervalued not only as a sexual partner, but as a person. Their outside partners function as the person to whom they go for that praise and recognition. And more often than not, just one “monogamous” affair partner is all they need, unlike studies that show many married women, prefer to maintain several concurrent affairs."
A total disinterest in changing their home life exists as a common understanding between affair partners. That is, they prefer the life they share with their spouse. As I mentioned, these men carry a deep love for their wife and 96% of them have absolutely no interest in leaving the marriage. One participant says:
“[My outside partner and I] know that we do not desire a change in our primary partners. We are not ‘in love.’ We enjoy each other, thank each other, and go back to our lives. My wife is my best friend. I enjoy her immensely. Our personalities match well. Our goals are well aligned, as I believe are the goals of my outside partner.”
These men were in real pain before they decided to cheat, both from the neglect they were facing and the realization that the reality of marriage didn’t line up with their expectations. For many, part of that pain persists knowing that the woman who’s now satisfying their needs isn’t the one woman they ultimately want that satisfaction from: Their wife.
Would these men be happiest with just their wife? Contrary to the common “men can’t resist temptation” narrative, yes, they would be (most men actually enjoy monogamy and are often far less interested in the idea of an open marriage than women are). But circumstances change and reality sets in.
Anonymous wrote:My toxic marriage was the worst thing for my children. Getting divorced and keeping them with me-not easy as a man-was the best thing. I only regret I didn't do it sooner.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Not really. My divorce has barely affected my life except in a positive way.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sex. Companionship. Physical need. Emotional need.
This will shock woman, but men need attention also. Most often husbands cheat because they are lacking something at home: emotional support/attention, physical need, etc. it's sad generally people think men don't need these things. Thus the issues.
Attachment issues from their childhood. Newsflash: many were getting all of that, including sex. The need for external validation in large amounts stems from childhood wounds. Quit victim blaming.
What victim?
The one getting lied to, gaslit and exposed to diseases without their consent.
Not all wives and marriages are great. Look at all the posts from unsatisfied men. Some women are just not great wives -
Lazy, nag, never want sex, spendthrifts, emotionally cold. Why is this woman always the victim? Seems like husband cheating is karma. Not all wives are victims.
Then get a friggin divorce.
+1000. End of thread. I don't why this stupid argument keeps on recurring when the solution is just divorce. It's not easy to go through it but the right solution. Who cares if monogamy is difficult for you or you believe your wife isn't doing x/yx/z in a marriage---go fu..ing divorce her. It's the selfish people who post on here to justify cheating because. ...pick a reason. Who cares about your reasons?
When you see grey divorces I assume this is the case. Men hang around till the youngest leaves for college then they divorce. So men divorce but cheat until the kids are out of the house. Seems fair, why should the kids have to suffer the consequences of divorce just because one parent decides they are done having sex?
The consequences of divorce are lifelong.
No, hon. Lifelong for the children. You missed it.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For men like me in my mid-40s, it's more about satisfying a need that I do not get from my wife who is really, REALLY disinterested in sex (like 6-12x a year, in a good year, and get it over with). The end game is that I assume my libido will die down (it already has somewhat from my 20s and 30s) and maybe in a few years I won't care that much and we will live happily ever after.
The question of why I don't divorce is obvious. Kids and finances and stability. I tend to agree with the previous poster, if my wife doesn't want to have sex, she can divorce me, which of course she won't for the same reason.
Why do so many people care how men in sexless marriages handle this issue? It doesn't affect you.
You are only one person. The vast majority of cheaters are getting weekly sex at home. They aren’t in miserable marriages. They (gasp) even love their wives.
It does affect me. The culture of tolerance of cheating in the marriage and the acceptance of men lying about the sex they are getting in marriage does affect me. The lying and manipulation around sex gives the liar power in the dyad and makes sex fundamentally non-consensual - both for the wife and the AP. My now ex DH was cheating. He had sex with me 2-4 times a week. He never complained about quality or quantity. At the same time, he was writing the AP emails about how he wasn’t having sex with me and was just with me out of some kind of obligation. Nothing could have been further from the truth - if he didn’t want to be with me, I certainly didn’t want him. When he was confronted and I offered to divorce, he was crying and begging to stay with me - a surprise to the AP, who clearly was unaware of the true status of his relationship.
Ultimately, I cut him loose because that amount of lying and manipulation is sociopathic. Women are not so eager for marriage that they are willing to stay - knowingly - in that environment. And, I say “knowingly” because it took some real sleuthing on my part to uncover what was going on.
Anonymous wrote:Mine was cheating for 6 years. We still had sex 2 times/week. He said he couldn’t decide for so long between 2 women.
Some men can be in love two women at same time.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For men like me in my mid-40s, it's more about satisfying a need that I do not get from my wife who is really, REALLY disinterested in sex (like 6-12x a year, in a good year, and get it over with). The end game is that I assume my libido will die down (it already has somewhat from my 20s and 30s) and maybe in a few years I won't care that much and we will live happily ever after.
The question of why I don't divorce is obvious. Kids and finances and stability. I tend to agree with the previous poster, if my wife doesn't want to have sex, she can divorce me, which of course she won't for the same reason.
Why do so many people care how men in sexless marriages handle this issue? It doesn't affect you.
You are only one person. The vast majority of cheaters are getting weekly sex at home. They aren’t in miserable marriages. They (gasp) even love their wives.
It does affect me. The culture of tolerance of cheating in the marriage and the acceptance of men lying about the sex they are getting in marriage does affect me. The lying and manipulation around sex gives the liar power in the dyad and makes sex fundamentally non-consensual - both for the wife and the AP. My now ex DH was cheating. He had sex with me 2-4 times a week. He never complained about quality or quantity. At the same time, he was writing the AP emails about how he wasn’t having sex with me and was just with me out of some kind of obligation. Nothing could have been further from the truth - if he didn’t want to be with me, I certainly didn’t want him. When he was confronted and I offered to divorce, he was crying and begging to stay with me - a surprise to the AP, who clearly was unaware of the true status of his relationship.
Ultimately, I cut him loose because that amount of lying and manipulation is sociopathic. Women are not so eager for marriage that they are willing to stay - knowingly - in that environment. And, I say “knowingly” because it took some real sleuthing on my part to uncover what was going on.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For men like me in my mid-40s, it's more about satisfying a need that I do not get from my wife who is really, REALLY disinterested in sex (like 6-12x a year, in a good year, and get it over with). The end game is that I assume my libido will die down (it already has somewhat from my 20s and 30s) and maybe in a few years I won't care that much and we will live happily ever after.
The question of why I don't divorce is obvious. Kids and finances and stability. I tend to agree with the previous poster, if my wife doesn't want to have sex, she can divorce me, which of course she won't for the same reason.
Why do so many people care how men in sexless marriages handle this issue? It doesn't affect you.
You are only one person. The vast majority of cheaters are getting weekly sex at home. They aren’t in miserable marriages. They (gasp) even love their wives.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Not really. My divorce has barely affected my life except in a positive way.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sex. Companionship. Physical need. Emotional need.
This will shock woman, but men need attention also. Most often husbands cheat because they are lacking something at home: emotional support/attention, physical need, etc. it's sad generally people think men don't need these things. Thus the issues.
Attachment issues from their childhood. Newsflash: many were getting all of that, including sex. The need for external validation in large amounts stems from childhood wounds. Quit victim blaming.
What victim?
The one getting lied to, gaslit and exposed to diseases without their consent.
Not all wives and marriages are great. Look at all the posts from unsatisfied men. Some women are just not great wives -
Lazy, nag, never want sex, spendthrifts, emotionally cold. Why is this woman always the victim? Seems like husband cheating is karma. Not all wives are victims.
Then get a friggin divorce.
+1000. End of thread. I don't why this stupid argument keeps on recurring when the solution is just divorce. It's not easy to go through it but the right solution. Who cares if monogamy is difficult for you or you believe your wife isn't doing x/yx/z in a marriage---go fu..ing divorce her. It's the selfish people who post on here to justify cheating because. ...pick a reason. Who cares about your reasons?
When you see grey divorces I assume this is the case. Men hang around till the youngest leaves for college then they divorce. So men divorce but cheat until the kids are out of the house. Seems fair, why should the kids have to suffer the consequences of divorce just because one parent decides they are done having sex?
The consequences of divorce are lifelong.
No, hon. Lifelong for the children. You missed it.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:For men like me in my mid-40s, it's more about satisfying a need that I do not get from my wife who is really, REALLY disinterested in sex (like 6-12x a year, in a good year, and get it over with). The end game is that I assume my libido will die down (it already has somewhat from my 20s and 30s) and maybe in a few years I won't care that much and we will live happily ever after.
The question of why I don't divorce is obvious. Kids and finances and stability. I tend to agree with the previous poster, if my wife doesn't want to have sex, she can divorce me, which of course she won't for the same reason.
Why do so many people care how men in sexless marriages handle this issue? It doesn't affect you.
You are only one person. The vast majority of cheaters are getting weekly sex at home. They aren’t in miserable marriages. They (gasp) even love their wives.