Unfortunately, the so-called facts of research lead us to cynicism. The things we are bombarded with tend to encourage the disbelief in the sanctity of long-standing love connections. For instance, it has been estimated that approximately 70 percent of married men and 50 percent of married women have extramarital affairs. These odds project that at least one partner in about 80 percent of all marriages will engage in an affair. So, not only does infidelity occur, but it actually happens more often than most of us probably would like to believe. Does this mean that marriage is not the best option? Does it imply that two people can't logically co-exist and remain happily in love with one another through the years? Or, does it simply offer lovers a challenge to beat the odds? The answers depend entirely on the couple, but the key is that both members must resonate on the vision and future plans.
So, the issue of monogamy, whether it is practical or mythical, arises. First, what exactly is monogamy, anyhow? Webster's dictionary defines it as "the custom to stay married to only one person at a time." That leaves much to the interpretation and imagination. True faithfulness isn't implied at all. Still, it's the ideal understanding of monogamy to by synonymous with fidelity.
One of the most prevalent causes of infidelity forms when people simply rush into marriage prematurely. Even hopeless romantics sometimes fall victim to hurried hitching. Perhaps if more couples took the time to let their relationship fully develop or vowed to hold out for the real thing, the the divorce rate as well as the statistics for extramarital affairs would be less intimidating.
To use another example in the television show, Ally McBeal, there was a particular episode which revolved around Ally's own past flame who happened to also be a married man. It was shown as a pure example of love despite difficult circumstances. In the end, Ally chose to move on for both of them. He had a family she couldn't face uprooting. The lover spoke of her in the most endearing manner. It was clear he was completely sincere as he put his innermost feelings to words. He said that she was the woman he had always dreamed of loving. The greatest tragedy in his life was not in loving her, but in not waiting long enough to find her.
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