Questions for Cathy #11: Why Do High Profile Women Stay with A Cheater?

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We’ve all seen infidelity scandals in the headlines. High profile people fall by the wayside just like normal folk. Infidelity, the great equalizer. Mr. Anthony Weiner for example, (such an unfortunate name for his situation, although he does take it seriously) has proven, yet again, that he’s having a very difficult time keeping his urges in check. His wife left him this round, but what about the wives who stay? Women of great means and brains? I was asked this question by a curious woman and consulted the ever-knowledgeable Cathy Chambliss for an answer.

EML: Why do high profile women stay with men who cheat?

CathySometimes high profile couples stay together when there is infidelity because there is so much to lose by splitting up; financial stability or children can be affected. If the woman is in politics, she may not want her image to be affected by being divorced. Some couples are already merely co-parenting in a house and are not sexual or emotionally intimate anymore, so, even though infidelity is still painful because it involves lying, the high profile wife may have already disconnected from her spouse and remains only for the kids or her career. Also, all couples can work through infidelity with an effective couple’s counselor. However, if there is repetitive cheating, it is very hard to make progress.


Did you guess the answer? It may have seemed obvious. Ultimately is it worth it? Only those in the relationship know for sure—or not. If one chooses to stay that doesn’t mean the issue has been resolved. The after-effects of not dealing with a betrayal can be just as devastating as the infidelity itself.

It’s very important to seek qualified help in every instance because you can’t know, what you don’t know. This I do know.

*(Cathy Chambliss, LMFT can be contacted at 310-303-9132)

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