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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Would you tell the OWs partner?

158 replies

houmousandcarrotsandwich · 30/12/2013 09:39

Long story (another thread), but basically h and I are seperating (staying together over holidays for kids) after I found evidence of affair on his phone (he is a multiple offender)

One of the ow is walking around with her head held high and still in relationship with her bf and he knows nothing about what she gas done. I have copies of the texts. Would you tell/show her bf?

I know my beef is not with her, but she knew h was married with kids, her morals suck. She has been unfaithful to bf also. I just want her to have some consequences.

OP posts:
CookieDoughKid · 02/01/2014 14:58

Hitler was a human being but I feel no compassion for him. [Grin]

ProfPlumSpeaking · 02/01/2014 15:20

lunar1 yes, I can see that. Gosh, it's hard isn't it?

AcrossthePond55 · 02/01/2014 20:53

Prof Plum, yes I'm in the US. The moral outrage isn't for the breakdown of a marriage per se, nor is it particularly religion-motivated. It's for the person who feels it is 'ok' to cheat whether in a marriage or a relationship of any kind in which the partners have decided to be exclusive. Yes, marriage is a legal contract, and if a marriage/contract has been breached (in legal terms) then the injured party has a right to break that contract, obviously. And in legal terms, the cheater has 'broken' the contract by cheating. In the same way we would frown upon a businessperson's cheating their business partner, we should also frown upon a cheater, but instead we 'forgive' or 'ignore it'. Or worse, some actually think it makes the cheater a 'rico suave' (that may be a US only term, means 'Mr or Ms Smooth and Cool'). If your business partner had cheated you out of profits or 'double-dealed' you, would you forgive and just 'get along'? No, you would be royally pissed and would expect your professional circle to not deal with that person, not to mention the legal consequences. It doesn't have anything to do with religion itself, it has to do with promises made and broken. When two people stand in front of whoever (judge, registrar, clergy) and promise each other to be faithful, they each have a right to expect that promise to be kept, and a duty to keep that promise themselves. If they can't, then they either should commit, or should leave the relationship.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if you no longer love your partner, for whatever reason, the correct thing to do is to leave the marriage, not cheat on your spouse/partner. And if you can't keep in zipped, then don't commit to an exclusive relationship/marriage in the first place. But if you choose to do the morally bankrupt (IMHO) thing and cheat on your spouse, then you should be subject to negative consequences, even if it's only socially. Maybe, just maybe, it would serve as a deterrent to others.

As you know from experience, there is nothing better than a stable, loving marriage. Nothing on Earth. But there is nothing more painful than seeing your beliefs and dreams crumble to dust because of infidelity. I've been lucky, like you. But I've seen a dearly loved cousin trampled into dust by a cheating husband. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

AcrossthePond55 · 02/01/2014 20:56

*should read 'either should NOT commit'.

And OP, I'll reiterate, you did the right thing IMHO. The OW partner should know. Ignorance is NOT bliss, and it is NOT folly to be wise.

Inlovewith2014 · 02/01/2014 21:04

Oh that's sad! Do what u feel best but u may push them closer together if u tell the ow partner
What goes around comes around
Just wait and see gather your friends for support and move on

perfectstorm · 03/01/2014 01:17

This husband isn't unhappy in his marriage. He feels entitled to cheat - serially - and it now seems always did, and always intends to. This was explained, to a degree, when the OP was told by her in-laws that her FIL did the same, and these things are to be expected (paraphrasing). He learned it at his Daddy's knee. Just failed to explain that to the OP - because his parental model was not of an open relationship. It was of a patriarchal one. I'm not really sure why or how that means the OP is the one seeing their spouse as a possession rather than a person, I must say. Hmm

Humous, you're doing great. I hope 2014 holds good things for you - not the great lummox you had the misfortune to marry. Flowers

AcrossthePond55 · 03/01/2014 15:39

perfectstorm-you hit the nail right on the head. OP did the best thing for all involved by kicking him to the curb. And by telling the OW's partner. He has a right to know so he can make his own decision to stay or go.

And you are right that a spouse is not a possession. Rather, it's a person from whom one has a right to expect certain behaviour. And if that person does not live up to their promises, one has a right to be angry and disappointed.

ormirian · 03/01/2014 15:56

If I were him I'd probably want to know. What he chooses to do with that information is up to him. However I didn't tell the OW's husband. Because I was scared of him TBH - he isn't a nice man to say the least, as she is a bit of a mess too, and I was concerned he'd bring it all to our door. From a purely personal POV I wanted their horrible dysfunction as far away from my family as possible.

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