What do you think would be a suitable punishment for a cheating spouse?

Answer 1

death by firing squad

Answer 2

I think the answers here are all very interesting. Lots of Bible quotes, all in support of staying together. Remember that Jesus said that divorce should not be granted, _except in the case of marital unfaitfulness._ (Of course, this passage isn't really about divorce, but about the validity of the then-current "super easy" divorce law: Man, say "I divorce you" three times and that's it! Talk about no bureaucracy!)

Nontheless, the other party engaging in cheating, i.e. "eye for an eye" doesn't work here. It just creates more distrust in the relationship. I think other types of indulgance might be a more "fitting" punishment (i.e. "Oh, you didn't want me to buy this $300 dress? Well you should have thought about that before you slept with that ****.") While I agree that a serious "punishment" is really unhealthy (if you're thinking about retribution, rather than fixing your relationship, it may be time to leave), there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of the situation in a minor way for a short time (like buying a dress, or making him stay with your family over thanksgiving, or watching the movie you want to watch, or being in control of the clicker). Part of this healing process is to ensure that your spouse cares about you and wants to make amends, and that you can trust your spouse, too. Can't do this forever, and can't make life unbearable such that your spouse will hold it against you, but maybe making him wash his undies and scrub the bathroom tile isn't such a bad idea.
:)

(And Kate, WOAH, cheaters are 'mentally ill'? If that's true, then nearly all Americans are mentally ill. As noted in the article below, as early as the Kinsey studies in the 50s, we found out that nearly 50% of married men cheat, and 25% of women do, and the number of extramarrital affairs by women is on the rise!
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_1998_Dec/ai_53331359
I'm not married, and I've not cheated. But cheating and pedophilia are not synonymous.

Answer 3

Punsihment? I'm not too sure that punishment is the answer. While of course their are consequences that will arise, such as a loss of trust, what needs to happen first is to decide if they are remorseful, and if they will change.

I suggest seeking counselling, if you are religious then your place of worship would be a good place to start, even if you are not, counselling from someone at a church may still be a good way to go if you are willing.

If the spouse is truly remorseful, and seeks counselling both by themself and with you, and changes, then gradually the relationship can be restored, if they are not remorseful and will not change, then seek counselling on what to do, but the trust will not be there.

One word of caution, if your spouse is remorseful, and wants to change, but you employ some sort of punishment or try to get even, it may just cause the relationship to fragment further, and make your spouse bitter at your lack of desire to fix the problem, not just punish the symptom.

Answer 4

If they have actually cheated, wasting time with punishment is pointless . . . they are mentally ill.
Put them out on the curb with the rest of the trash , like yesterday ! (this is a mental illness they could have controlled)
Get busy putting your financial affairs in order so you can survive the split.
Then get busy making new friends (not yet time for new lover) as any time spent on the X will be wasting your time and life. (like pedophiles, few are curable - the begging and promises just buy them time for more BS)

Note: High statistical % do NOT alter a things status,
If 90% of the people had cancer, would it then become a non-illness ? Would people stop trying to treat it ?
Fidelity and honor are indicators of mental wellness, and those unable to live that way have a mental illness.
High %s just mean the disease is more widespread.

Answer 5

Cheat yourself, Dah. That's a no brainer.. tit for tat.
Even the bible says an eye for an eye. ; )

(unlike the moral of today, which is just divorce, no matter how many lives it ruins, including small children, I think a better remedy is to just get back the old fashion way then put it all in the past, keeping a family together is the most important thing... This is why everyone is so divorce happy in this country, people make mistakes, they always have, they always will. Stay married)

Answer 6

For the cheating man would be castration & divorce
For the cheating woman divorce with out alimony or child support

Answer 7

God will take care of the punishment. Either reconcile or move on. But try to embrace love over anger, and remember

"To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, until Death do us Part."

Answer 8

Punishment? Why bother? If you're so unhappy that you can't fix things, just get a divorce. I'm sure that will be punishment enough when he loses money.

Answer 9

Abandonment.

Answer 10

Pl start praising others.

Pl start shopping with others. If you can not, lie.

Pl show better persons. If you can not, personify the one.

Regards

Answer 11

If you want to punish someone, it's time to leave the relationship.