Is Cyber Flirting Dangerous To Your Marriage?
It seems that as technology progresses, so does the means by which people jeopardize their marriage. Years ago when there was only pen and paper, people were less apt to be unfaithful to their spouse. However, with cell phones, e-mail and online chat rooms it has become much easier for individuals to strike up a seemingly innocent conversation with someone of the opposite sex and suddenly find themselves flirting with a stranger. So is cyber flirting dangerous to your marriage?
Easy Pickings
One reason that cyber flirting poses such a risk to a marriage is that it is fertile ground for people with no morals. People that would like to entice a married man or woman away from their spouse can begin a friendship online that seems so innocent. Over time this friendship becomes stronger because the married person is telling the other individual all about their problems through chat. The other person becomes a comfort and begins to wedge themselves into the marriage. Before long the married person is sending suggestive messages or flirtatious language because they are drawn emotionally to this person that is showing so much interest.
Warning Signs
There are certain people that seem more likely to fall prey to online flirting.
- People with extremely stressful jobs and access to the internet at work.
- Married couples that have become bored with their marriage
- Couples that have trouble communicating and one person feels that they are being ignored
- People searching for love lost in their younger days.
Lack of Reality
The problem that people face with cyber flirting and online cheating is the same problem that people have always faced. In the beginning of the relationship people are drawn towards one or two aspects about the person. They accentuate those aspects through conversation or deeds. After the relationship becomes stronger and the people are committed to cheating on their spouse, the new relationship grows sour quickly. The one aspect that drew them into the relationship is no longer emphasized by the other person and now the cheating spouse is back in the same situation: they feel ignored and unwanted.
Working on an existing marriage is a much better use of time for the vast majority of couples. Reconnecting by doing the things they enjoyed when they first met, and setting aside some special time for themselves, without other distractions, will go much further towards building a long and lasting marriage.
