Why is it not illegal to cheat on someone

I agree it's very damaging but at the end of the day nobody owes you or others a relationship & being told your special/they'd never cheat is something that obviously works for you emotionally & physically hence why multiple people have played that angle

In the future just assume everybody is doing everybody when it comes to dating & only go as far as your willing to yourself

Life changes, people change, relationships change.

People tend not to get into a relationship with the intention of cheating.

It's always a risk but as a woman with full mental capacity, you can choose whether or not to take that risk.

If you don't want to, you're free to stay single as we all are.

women cheat too

you picked the wrong guy, dust yourself off and go again

life it way too short to waste your time and energy on this creep, go find one of the good ones

What sort of punishment do you think is suitable? Stoning? Imprisonment?

Jesus Christ, MN is getting worse by the day!

Exactly. It would cost the state an absolute fortune to investigate whether Mrs X actually did have sex with the window cleaner. Or do we just take the word of the accuser.

What constitutes cheating? We hear on MN constantly that posters partners are "at the very least having an emotional affair". Would that be punishable? A kiss? A touch?

IMO it is a broken contract and should be able to be pursued legally if the other party has proof.

A relationship is a verbal agreement based on boundaries you establish together like monogamy.

There is no reason to cheat. If you don't want to be with someone then leave. If you want sex with others, ask for an open relationship and respect the answer.

I don't believe it should mean prison, but community service would be great. We need some free labour picking up rubbish, UK roads are filthy. And it will give the people time to think about how their actions impact others.

I am sorry you are having a miserable time.

But making having an affair a criminal offence would be a truly terrible idea. The state (or organised religion) has basically no business in anyone’s bedroom.

Wrong - both parties are. It is actually impossible to textually carry this out as four witnesses are needed who actually saw the act of penetration.

There's allways 2 sides to a relationship breakup and it would be a "he said this" and "she said this" argument which neither party could usually prove. It would never work out.

How would you prove your emotional distress OP?

You need to toughen up and acquire some resilience.

You can't do anything about what other people do but you can choose about the way you do things.

I presume this was a partner? He hadn't made any formal commitment to you so in one sense it is not surprising he cheated. Yes I know married people cheat as well but it is a lot easier pre marriage as there are often no consequences.

Unlike in the Reformation Era, we’ve unpacked the difference between a sin and a crime.

Only women are stoned to death for cheating...so maybe that idea can be skipped.

Absolutely this.

This is the part of your post that struck me.

I was nothing special like they’d made me out to be

Part of your emotional devastation is perhaps coming from the possibility that you believe you only have value if someone else says so.

YOU should know your value. At it should remain at the same level whether someone else sees it or not.

But to answer your question - no cheating can not be and should not be made illegal. We can not own other humans.

That’s absolutely bloody ridiculous! Give your head a wobble, as they say on MN.

Absurd thought process. There are all sorts of reasons why someone cheats. The one being cheated on is not necessarily an innocent, they could be abusive. I speak as someone who has never cheated on another person so not trying to justify my own behaviour.

Some people are incapable of rational, critical thought. 🙄

Sounds as if iou need a bit more life experience OP. It happens. It hurts like a hell for a bit and then you move on.
Dwelling on retribution will just slow down the healing process for you.

Where do you draw the line at this? At the end of the day, you are not being held against your will. You can end things and move on. You have a choice about what you will and won’t put up with.

Because we don’t live under Sharia law? 😂

Yessss 🤣

It is in some places. Are you able to move?

You’re hurting so you're not thinking rationally.

Perhaps the punishment can be getting stoned to death, that exists in some countries still OP.

I too have been very badly affected by relationships, so much so that I have permanently given up on them, but never once has such a ridiculous notion as making it illegal entered my head. What a slippery slope you want.

OP,
You sound very young, like it was your first serious relationship, and that one always hurts when it goes wrong.

Jeez, threads like this do indeed serve as a gentle reminder that some people are just weird and bonkers and seem unable to manage daily life without thinking anything they find difficult to manage should involve entire societal reform as the practical solution.

They walk amongst us 🤣🤣🤣🤣

No, no, no.

You'd have to take in to account ALL behaviour by both parties on that basis. Ridiculous.