What Makes High Profile Husbands Cheat?
Jenny Sanford, Elizabeth Edwards, and Gayle Haggard. What do all these women have in common? They’re amazingly strong, over 40 and have cheating husbands! High profile cheating husbands. You don’t see Hilary Clinton at a press conference apologizing to her constituents about a boy toy in Argentina. In fact, I can’t recall ever seeing a high profile female politician defending her infidelity to the world.
I’m infuriated at these guys! If I hear, “I’m sorry I never meant to hurt anyone” one more time I’m going to vomit. They hurt everyone but most of all their wives! Jenny left South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford while Elizabeth withstood a turbulent “public scrutiny ride” with former Senator John Edwards. She’s recently left the marriage. Gayle has stuck by her husband, former evangelist Ted Haggard.
What makes these guys tick? A lot of women can hardly get their husbands to make the trek upstairs to the bedroom let alone fly halfway around the world. According to a recent article by Jeanna Bryner, Managing Editor at LiveScience.com, “A serious occupational hazard of being a celebrity is arrogance, to think you are better than the next guy, special, entitled, above common issues,” explains Joel Block, a psychologist specializing in love, relationships and sexuality. I can think of a different word starting with “a” and ending with “s” to describe these guys.
In the same article, Lawrence Josephs, a clinical psychologist at Adelphi University in New York says, “People don’t necessarily practice what they preach. It’s not clear to what extent people’s ethical values are actually running what they do or don’t do.” Ask Ted Haggard.
These women need our support, not our judgment. Jenny Sanford’s new book, Staying True and Gayle Haggard’s book, Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in My Darkest Hour are on my reading list. I’d like to get to know these women better. Read them along with me. I’ll let you know when I’m starting the first book.
Leave your comments. I’d love to hear them.
This post has 5 comments
February 19th, 2010
Hi Kathryn,
Here’s what I have always believed. You are either married or not…It’s like being pregnant. If you don’t want to be monogamous why bother getting married?
I think it’s the thrill for these pathetic men. They are sociopaths who live by their own rules. Heaven forbid if their wives did it though! Can you imagine Hillary cheating on Bill? He would have lost the election. She is a class act for hanging in there….And that low life he cheated with should go back under the rock she came from.
I believe in the 10 commandments…Do unto others as you want done to you…It has served me well…Like my Mom always told us girls ( I have 2 sisters) the truth always comes out so why bother? I believe in marriage and commitment. Loyalty is huge with me too…One thing is for sure…If you cheat you are going to get caught one way or the other…There is no excuse…
Cindy Gold
St. Petersburg, FL.
February 23rd, 2010
Hi Cindy, you have a way with words! Loyalty is a must for me too. And you’re right…if more people practiced the ten commandments the world would be a better place.
February 19th, 2010
PS: I will be going to Barnes & Noble to read the books you have suggested.
Cindy,
St. Petersburg, FL
May 31st, 2010
I think it can be an act of love and preservation to leave and an act of cowardice to stay, and the absolute reverse is also true. I have lived through infidelity–forgave once, kicked him out the second time. It is an incredibly difficult decision either way. I finally had to decide whether I wanted to stay with someone who was broken and didn’t want to be fixed. My answer was no. We blame the men, but why is there always a woman who is willing to cheat with them?
May 31st, 2010
Hi Susan, I’ve asked myself the same question…why do women cheat with these guys? It’s heartbreaking. You sound like you made the best decision for you. I left my first husband who cheated on me but I know that you’re so emotionally raw at the time that it’s incredibly difficult to make life altering decisions. But you stay strong and do the best you can. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kathryn