The cheating phenomenon

Columnists
and Student Life

April 20, 2011

This week’s flavor…to cheat or not to cheat?

Ask the person sitting next to you if they have ever cheated on their significant other. Now ask them if they have even been cheated on.

The chances are pretty high that they will answer yes to one of the two or perhaps even both.

I never wanted to write a column on this controversial subject, but I can’t help myself when every other word of gossip is about who cheated on who with whom. Please don’t read this as an advice column from Seventeen Magazine, but realize what I am saying are the true facts about most college students today.

Let’s face it, there may be some great relationships out there that never fail, ones that are perfect and never have to deal with cheating, but the sad thing is that this is now the minority of most relationships left in our world.

When you see a couple who you can see are so in love, it is almost like we look at them differently because they have a normal relationship, when in reality we have made ourselves this way.

Whether you’re cheating or they’re cheating, it is always one party that will cause a speed bump in the relationship.

But what are they searching for? If they have it so good in their relationship why would they even test the waters? Or, if they’re miserable, why wouldn’t they just break things off in the first place?

Maybe it’s because all of us enter college in search for the perfect match for our future and we never settle until we are completely satisfied. Or perhaps it is because alcoholic beverages and mixed emotions make you do things you will regret. Whatever the answer is, it still happens.

Consider technology a big factor in this. Think of the last fight you had with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

If it was over a text message from someone else, a controversial picture message “sext,” or a friend request from someone who you have competition with, then there is a good chance you have a trust issue with your partner.

Now think about how many fights you would not have if your cell phone did not exist or the Internet was nothing. It is scary to think about but many of the stupid fights you have probably would not erupt without this technology.

So now let’s go back to before the days of cell phones and the Internet… What were the divorce and cheating rates? Probably much smaller. You would pretty much have to be caught in the act to be proven guilty or would you?

A senior project in the communications department at KSC last year was displayed to students last semester about cheating being a way of life and a natural instinct. Were we ever truly meant to be monogamous or have our minds been programmed to think this is what it’s supposed to be?

Is our generation going to be known as the generation that never wants to settle down and get married? The divorce rates keep increasing and I am sure they are not all due to “irreconcilable differences.”

Will we ever find a balance of loyalty and love? If you do choose a commitment now, or even sometime in the near future, consider the actions before you cheat.

Someone will always get hurt, even if it isn’t you. People will talk about it, and karma can come back to haunt you.

So is it really worth it? We all want what we can’t have but once we have it, it doesn’t seem as great as it once was. But one little mistake and you have now taken all of it for granted.

Kristyn Bellino can be contacted at kbellino@keeneequinox.com

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The cheating phenomenon

Equinox Staff