Watching porn equal to cheating?

[MoMuM7]

My very pregnant friend just caught her DH watching porn. He used to be addicted to it (badly) and had to have lots of therapy as it was affecting their sex life. Turns out the recovery wasn't going as well as my friend thought. He's been watching it again for over a year and hasn't told her or their therapist. She feels as though it's a massive betrayal on the same scale as infidelity. The stuff he watches features women who look nothing like her and has made her feel terribly insecure.

I have no idea how to counsel her. I wonder if her hormones are clouding her judgement or if porn really is grounds for separation/divorce...

[helpftm]

I wouldn't say it's cheating UNLESS their partner has said they don't like them watching it or don't agree with it. Personally I don't like porn and wouldn't like it if my bf/husband watched it as I would feel disrespected.

He clearly knows she's not okay with it so I think it's very disrespectful towards her. I think it's a valid reason to leave him as they have to go counselling for it and he's still continuing to watch it. It shows he has no respect or has any sympathy for what he's doing (if he knows she feels insecure).

He sounds like an idiot, I don't see why he can't just do it with her instead of watching videos of other wome. No wonder she feels insecure. I hope she leaves him

[FloweryName]

In normal circumstances watching porn is nothing like infidelity, but your friend has completely different reasons to be upset.

[Shivvy120]

If she feels like it’s cheating then it is cheating. It can erode a persons self worth and make them feel like they are unattractive.
Poor girl, pregnant and finds out the person who is supposed to be her rock is leering over other women. I’d be furious too. I hope she is ok