How long do extramarital affairs usually last? Finding the truth behind the taboo
As someone who has experienced heartbreak and betrayal in past relationships, I know firsthand how painful it can be to discover that your partner has been unfaithful. The mere thought of your significant other engaging in an extramarital affair can be enough to shake the very foundation of your life, leaving you feeling confused, hurt, and alone.
But just how long do these illicit affairs usually last? Is it a one-time mistake, or does it span across months or even years? It’s a question that many of us are afraid to ask, let alone answer, but the truth behind the taboo might just surprise you.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the world of extramarital affairs and explore the potential reasons why someone might cheat on their partner. We’ll discuss the typical length of an affair, and why understanding its duration can be the key to unlocking the mystery of why it happened in the first place. So, grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and let’s dig in.
How long do extramarital affairs usually last?
It’s important to note that the length of an extramarital affair is not an indicator of its impact. Regardless of how long an affair lasts, it can cause serious damage to a marriage and the individuals involved. It’s essential to address any problems in the relationship before an extramarital affair occurs and seek professional help if needed to overcome the emotional fallout.
???? Pro Tips:
1. Set boundaries: If you are in a marriage and feel attracted to someone else, it’s important to set boundaries. Recognize and avoid situations that can lead to infidelity and make a conscious effort to keep communication and interactions with the other person limited.
2. Seek professional help: If you find yourself in an extramarital affair, it’s crucial to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you gain clarity around your feelings and guide you through making the right decisions.
3. Re-evaluate your marriage: Often, extramarital affairs are a symptom of underlying issues in a marriage. Take time to evaluate your relationship and work on the areas that need improvement. Consider couples counseling to strengthen your bond.
4. End the affair: It’s important to end an extramarital affair as soon as possible. Continuing the affair can cause long-term damage to both marriages and individuals. Be honest with your partner and take responsibility for your actions.
5. Rebuild trust: If you and your partner have decided to work on your marriage after an affair, it’s crucial to focus on rebuilding trust. This can take time but can be achieved by being honest, transparent, and working on communication.
The Duration of Extramarital Affairs
The subject of extramarital affairs is generally considered as a taboo topic in most societies. Despite the existence of such taboos, extramarital affairs happen frequently across the globe, cutting across race, gender, culture, and class. But for many caught up in the whirlwind of such affairs, questions often arise about the duration of such relationships. This article will explore the length of extramarital affairs and the variability of their durations.
The Variability of the Length of Affairs
Extramarital affairs vary in the length of time they last. According to research, approximately 50% of affairs last between one month to a year. Meanwhile, a long-term affair may last for 15 months or more. Moreover, about 30% of affairs last for at least two years and sometimes even beyond that threshold. It is also believed that some extramarital affairs may last a lifetime. Nevertheless, one should not consider that all extramarital affairs fall into these categories, as the length of time differs from one affair to the another.
Short-term Affairs: One Month to One Year
Short-term affairs are affairs that last for a brief period, from one month up to one year. They are often initiated primarily due to physical attraction and generally occur when individuals in the affair are unsatisfied with their current relationships. The involved parties may be using the affair as an escape from the daily issues they encounter in their lives. For example, some may just be looking for an emotional release or coping mechanism to deal with mental pressures. Regardless, these affairs are usually not considered serious, and seldom lead to any long-term or emotional involvement.
Short-term affairs may be characterized as:
- Physical Attraction based
- Rooted in Escapism
- Low level of emotional involvement
Long-term Affairs: Fifteen Months or More
Long-term affairs can be defined as affairs that have a more profound emotional connection between the individuals involved, and they often last for a prolonged period. Communication, a shared sense of trust, and meaningful conversations typically characterize these affairs. They occur when both people involved feel that they are not receiving the love, attention, or intimacy they deserve from their partners. Long-term affairs commonly include a plethora of conflicting emotions as the persons involved often experience guilt, shame, and regretâknowing that they are hurting their innocent partners. They may sometimes envision a life different from the one they currently live with their partner. Beyond such desires of a different life, they slowly begin to observe and appreciate characteristics of the extramarital partner, which they may lack in their spouse. Over time, these affairs can create a stronger emotional involvement than what was present in the marriage or partnership, leading to devastating consequences.
Long-term affairs may be characterized as:
- Emotionally charged
- An escape and outlet for emotions
- Lengthy and potentially intense
Two-year Affair Threshold and Beyond
An extramarital affair that lasts for two years or more is generally considered a long-time affair. This type of relationship commonly occurs when both individuals involved are deep into a relationship rut, feeling unfulfilled with their daily lives but unable or unwilling to break away from their marriage or partnership. The affair plays a therapeutic role by giving individuals involved the freedom to be themselves and communicate their feelings without fear of judgment or repercussions. The risk, however, is that the affair usually becomes all-consuming, rendering them as parasites in each other’s lives, devoid of any significant self-worth.
Two-year affairs may be characterized as:
- Bad for self-esteem
- All-consuming
- Involve significant risks
Life-long Affairs: Reality or Myth?
While lifelong affairs may seem the stuff of fiction or the fairy tales, they have been known to happen, albeit in rare circumstances. Such affairs often occur when individuals who feel deeply connected through love and shared experiences are unable to be together due to existing commitments in their lives. Both parties’ marriage partners may be aware of the ongoing situation, and an understanding presence of some form leads to an equilibrium of a sort. Successful life-long affairs require a high level of emotional intelligence and a profound understanding of not just the self but the other person involved. Nevertheless, lifelong affairs may not be sustainable as feelings, emotions, and circumstances can change over time.
Life-long affairs may be characterized as:
- Rooted in deeper emotional connections
- Occurring due to existing commitments
- Difficult to sustain
Conclusion
In conclusion, extramarital affairs are a common reality, with different lengths of time that they can last. While short-term affairs may only scratch the surface of the needs of individuals caught up in unsatisfactory unions, long-term affairs have deeper, more complex roots that are multi-dimensional and varied in nature. Understanding these dimensions, however, does not justify the act of participating in extramarital affairs.
