What is considered infidelity and what is not

When we start a relationship, the first thing that comes to our mind is that we will enjoy the relationship to the fullest, and as a result, it could last a lifetime. We rarely feel concerned about infidelity. However, according to recent studies, over time, the fear of infidelity begins to grow.

As we have learned, over time, we start to notice that our partner begins to distance themselves. This is something common to humans—when we have something, we tend to value it less, which causes distancing to become a reality. And this is where the following question arises: What is infidelity really? Let’s explore when it is and when it is not to resolve any doubts.

What does infidelity mean?

Infidelity can be defined as the betrayal of a partner. This means a breaking of the implicit or explicit agreements within the relationship. We mention the need for a break in the agreements because not all couples have the same rules.

What is clear, however, is that infidelity is more common today. We will list some types of infidelity, remembering that it only occurs when the couple’s agreements are broken.

1. Sexual infidelity

Without a doubt, this is the type of infidelity that concerns couples the most. In fact, when we talk about infidelity, the first thing that comes to our mind is sexual infidelity. This means that it happens when deception occurs within the sexual realm.

Sexual infidelity can be of two types: physical or non-physical. When we talk about non-physical sexual infidelity, we refer to a betrayal that doesn’t involve physical contact, such as when one partner, for example, chats or messages another person on WhatsApp with erotic intentions. In contrast, physical sexual infidelity happens when there is bodily contact with the other person. It doesn’t matter if penetration occurs or not, although it is true that when someone is physically unfaithful to their partner, the most common form of infidelity involves penetration.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that each couple has their own rules. We can only say it’s truly sexual infidelity when the couple has agreed that they should not be with other people. If the couple has agreed to freedom, then it shouldn’t be considered infidelity.

2- Emotional Infidelity

This type of infidelity can be defined as going beyond the mere act of falling in love with someone else. We usually think it occurs only when one partner falls in love with another person, but there can be other scenarios within this type of infidelity.

According to recent studies, emotional infidelity can also be the concealment of a feeling or state. For example, if we hide our emotional state related to work from our partner, we are actually being emotionally unfaithful. There are many types of emotional infidelity, making it a very common occurrence in relationships. However, when there is no other person involved, emotional infidelity is usually easier to forgive, which can help the relationship move forward.

3- Life Infidelity

This is a type of infidelity that until recently had little prominence but is now gaining significant ground in society. It can be said that this increase is directly related to dating apps.

This type of infidelity occurs when a person deceives their partner about an aspect of their life. For instance, they might lie about their age, past, or job. What is clear is that this type of infidelity directly shows that the person has low self-esteem. They try to present themselves to the other person as someone they are not. Eventually, this falsehood comes to light, which means that the relationship is in danger. After all, no one wants to share their life with someone who tries to deceive them about their daily life.

4- Economic Infidelity

This is a type of infidelity that is quite common, especially at the beginning of relationships. Some people try to deceive their partner by claiming they earn more or less money than they actually do. The goal of this lie is to try to win over the other person, even if it is through deception. This lie will eventually come to light as the relationship progresses, leading the deceived partner to feel rejected once they learn the truth.

When the relationship becomes more serious and both partners combine their finances, this type of infidelity can also occur. In this case, infidelity happens when one person withdraws money from the joint account without the other person’s knowledge. It can be said that this constitutes deception and, consequently, economic infidelity.

Sometimes, individuals open a joint account with their partner. However, because they are deceiving their partner by claiming they earn less than they actually do, they open a separate account to manage their own finances. This is another type of infidelity, which experts claim is more common than we tend to think.