Family Law

Can A Cheating Spouse Still Be A Good Parent?

By J. Benjamin Stevens

Does the fact that someone cheated on his/her spouse mean that person is a bad parent?  I think this is an interesting question with many arguments on either side of the debate.  The arguments in the "no" camp focus on the harm inevitably done to the children by the affair itself once it is discovered.  They also focus on the choices the parent made in making him/herself unavailable due to the extramarital relationship. 

The other side would argue that cheaters, by nature, compartmentalize their lives and as such, they can keep their relationship with their children separate from those with their spouse and lover.  What's more, when the parent becomes happier in the new relationship, it can carry over to make that person a better parent to his/her children.  You can read much more about both sides of this debate here.

Extramarital affairs are not going anywhere, and with the increase in social media and communications in general over the last several years, they are becoming more prevalent in our society.  If you suspect that your spouse is having an affair, you should consult an attorney (sooner rather than later) to find out how to best protect yourself, your children, and your interests as you go through this process.

Source: "SmackDown: Can A Cheating Spouse Still Be A Good Parent?" by Amy Hatch and Jo Parente, published at Parent Dish.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on May 03, 2010 (boomark / email).