Why Do People Cheat?

Let's be real: cheating is one of those topics that can turn any casual conversation into a full-blown debate.

Picture this: you’re curled up on the couch, watching a rom-com story and suddenly an unexpected plot twist leaves you wide-eyed and wondering, "Wait, what just happened?"

One minute, everything seems peachy; the next, you're left scratching your head, trying to figure out how things went so sideways.

Our relationships are like these rom-coms. They have their highs, their lows, and of course their dramatic twists.  But unlike the movies, where everything wraps up in a neat, happy ending, real-life relationships can sometimes take unexpected turns. And one of those twists, unfortunately, is cheating.

While sitting in the canteen, we all have that one friend who confidently shares a story about a couple where one partner may cheat on the other. The question we all ask altogether is, "Why do people cheat in the first place?"

Why would someone risk their relationship for a fleeting moment of excitement? Is it a lack of commitment, a thirst for adventure, or just one bad decision?

Let's explore the reasons while reading some real-life stories (which my friends asked me not to tell anyone), and maybe, figure out if cheating is a choice or just an unfortunate option.

The Unplanned Chaos

A girl (19F) was in a relationship with a guy (19M) from her college itself. After one year of their relationship, they started having so many clashes and conflicts over small talks, that she decided to break up with him.

After him, she decided to date someone from another college and met a guy (20M) who was smart, and intelligent and loved her a lot.

She was unable to forget her ex. One day, her ex asked her for coffee. They went to a café where they used to go while being in the relationship. They retrospect their old memories, and she started feeling attracted towards her ex again. After some time, she found herself in the arms of her ex.

Now, her schedule is packed with managing her double life. She jokes once, "If cheating were an Olympic sport, I'd get gold." The guilt was overwhelming for her, by the time she realized what was happening, the damage was done.

Stuck in the Doorway

A girl who believed in the door analogy for relationships. Her boyfriend was the perfect example of someone standing at the door, unsure whether to come in or leave.

He was too busy to give her time, always stuck between work and doubt about their future. She started feeling like a doormat instead of a girlfriend.

Until, one day, she met a guy at a party. He was charming, attentive, and actually made time for her. They end up spending the night together. She found herself cheating on her boyfriend. She joked to her friend, "Guess I didn't just open the door, I walked right out of it!"

She had realized that she deserved someone who’d choose to stay, not someone stuck at the door, lost in indecision.

The Long-Distance Dilemma

A long-distance relationship is beautiful when both partners are equally interested in it.

A couple who was in a long-distance relationship belonged to two different states. While the guy was preparing for a government job, the girl was studying in college. They’re committed, or so they think.

However due to study pressure and other commitments, the guy started giving less time to their relationship. The distance and lack of intimacy create a void between them.

After some time, he joined a public library to study, and there he met a girl, who was beautiful, funny, and most importantly, physically present with him.

The void between them was filled by the new girl, and eventually the guy ended his long-distance relationship.

Cheating: A Choice or an Unfortunate Option?

So, is cheating a choice or just an unfortunate option that life throws at us?

Let’s get real here. Cheating, at its core, is a choice—one that people make for various reasons but every relationship has its ups and downs, just like every Karan Johar movie has its mandatory rain dance scene. But when it comes to cheating, it's a mix of both choice and circumstance.

The kicker: while cheating is a choice, it’s often a symptom of deeper issues. Maybe there's a lack of communication, unmet needs, or unresolved conflicts in the relationship. It’s like treating the symptom without addressing the illness. So, while we can’t excuse cheating, understanding the “why” behind it can help us address the root causes and maybe, just maybe, prevent it from happening in the first place.

Just like in "The Break-Up", where Jennifer Aniston’s character struggles with feeling neglected, people often stray because they seek something they’re not getting in their current relationship.

At the end of the day, relationships require effort, communication, and a lot of patience. Cheating is a complex phenomenon, but it ultimately comes down to personal responsibility. You can’t always control the temptations around you, but you can control your actions.

In the immortal words of Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben, "With great power comes great responsibility." Or, as our very own Bollywood might put it, "Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain." But let's strive to keep those "choti choti baatein" from turning into full-blown relationship disasters.

Cheating isn’t just a twist in the plot—it’s a choice that can rewrite the entire story.

Choose whom to trust wisely.

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