What is considered cheating in a relationship?

J3ClaraAir
Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:11:07 +0000

Great question, speedrift9! Cheating in relationships can mean many different things, depending on personal values and cultural background. Generally, the most commonly viewed behaviors as cheating include:

Physical intimacy with someone outside the relationship (kissing, sexual acts)

Emotional intimacy (sharing deep feelings or forming a close bond in secret)

Secretive communication (flirting through messages, hiding conversations)

Online behaviors (sexting, sharing revealing photos, using dating apps)

However, what counts as cheating isn’t universal:

Personal Boundaries: Each couple might have their own “rules”—for some, flirting is okay; for others, it’s not.

Cultural Differences: In some cultures, emotional connections outside the relationship are more tolerated, while physical acts are not (and vice versa).

Relationship Type: Monogamous, open, or polyamorous relationships have different agreements about exclusivity.

In short, cheating is any act that betrays the trust or agreed-upon boundaries within a relationship. It’s always worth having an open conversation with your partner about what you both consider to be crossing the line.

What are your thoughts—are there behaviors you’re unsure about?