Which is worse in a relationship: emotional cheating or physical cheating?

Question

Some people say emotional cheating is worse because real feelings are involved. Others think physical cheating is the ultimate betrayal. What do you think? Which would hurt you more?

madhatters4 · Accepted Answer

i'd say the emotional cheating is worse because it is a deeper betrayal of the relationship. sex is only a component of a relationship while the emotional connection between a couple is fundamental

now both forms of cheating are awful, but for example... i had a girlfriend in college who went to vegas and hooked up with a guy. i was hurt but also could rationalize that going to "sin city", partying, drinking, general revelry can lead to bad decisions which could be forgivable. but when i found out the cheating really was more a symptom of an deeper issue (emotional betrayal) that was the final straw

again both are awful. and i've been cheated on twice so i have experience. but physical, if it is only physical, feels like it could be forgiven but an emotional betrayal seems like a point at which a relationship really can't be saved

also physical cheating is a result of emotional cheating

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

Cheating is cheating.

And what is worse than all of those is when the one that's doing the cheating comes home every night. Gives you a kiss and. Knowing they just got done cheating talking to you telling you they love you.. acts like nothing is happening. And thinking in their head about the next time they're gonna go see their friend

And that the other spouse is so stupid because they're getting away with it , the secret phone calls

That's worse than all of it
And then they get caught and the finger starts pointing and this , and that , and i'm sorry , i'm sorry , blah blah
No children is cheating. But when cheating coming home and the acting like everything is perfect , is even more disgusting , it's nothing but a big lie

And the only way I can see is say goodbye is what I would have to do

alice55 · Accepted Answer

Physical cheating got the problem of sti and the risk of pregnancy

emotional cheating more than likely just mean the relationship is finished because without feeling there's no want to save the relationship

in a way emotional is worse but if physical cheating involved pregnancy of sti then it’s worse because it got bigger consequence it also mean the person cheating don’t give a shit about if yes or no they give you a sti or pass down a sti to their own child so in this ways it’s worse.

i Will surley be more hurt by emotional cheating but more angry by physical one

HollyK21 · Accepted Answer

I’d say they’re equally hurtful because in both scenarios, one party is stepping out on the other to seek something they’re supposed to be getting from only their partner.

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

My aim on GAG is to decode love drama and call out red flags with a little charm. 😉

Emotional cheating hits harder. Physical cheating is betrayal of the body, but emotional cheating is betrayal of the heart. When your partner shares secrets, dreams, late-night talks and “I miss you” with someone else, that’s soul-level ghosting. Bodies can slip, but once your emotional safety is gone, the relationship bleeds trust.

HawkPerception · Answer

Physical cheating is definitely worse. Because it's usually the step after emotional cheating. While it may hurt if your partner starts falling for someone else, it hurts 100 times more if they fuck them. And the worst if they give them head.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Which is worse: having your hand amputated or having your foot amputated?

AviatorTom · Answer

Both are bad. Emotional cheating gets a very slight edge because it stays with you, while physical cheating ends once it's over.

AydenHazor · Answer

The hard part is defining emotional cheating. Any actual cheating is grounds to end a relationship immediately, but there are also many people that would vote quality, deep, intimate friendship as cheating.

I have several friends who I tell them regularly that I love them, and they tell me the same. I've got a child friends I will cuddle with possibility and several that I partner dance with. I go out to dinner with friends, male or female, one on one all the time and lean on my friends due emotional support as they do the same for me.

I have intentionally emotionally intimate quality friendships, and to me this is a good thing that this world needs more of, and any partner I have will be aware of this and hopefully sorry it, as I would support them I'm maintaining singular friendships for themselves.

realbiggrin · Answer

Im really surprised that so few guys choose emotional cheating as being worse than pyhisical cheating. Guys are always saying its just sex. Really I think men's sense of manhood is often shored up in large part
By their women. I think a lot of them fill physical cheating is worse because they are worried about themselves not stacking up in comparison to the other guy, you know size, stamina or god forbid the guy guy has bigger arms. Lol, I doubt many worry about their female's feeling's or motives for finding another person. Motives like loneliness, or lack of someone to listen to them, not being made to feel attractive or wanted. I really dont think most women cheat just because they want some strange. It seem that there would be deeper problems than a mid life crisis that a new rifle or car couldn't fix.

Zack-Bann · Answer

I’m not at all surprised by these results
More women value emotional loyalty more men value physical loyalty but half the population agrees that both are bad

I think both are bad but physical is slightly worse

Because catching feelings for someone can be involuntary

Choosing to act on it is the true action that’s cheating.

Naturally if you catch feelings you should distance yourself from the person and situation
If you’re indulging your own fantasy it’s cheating all the same

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Hmmm I don't think I've been with someone who would dissociate emotions from sex and I am not someone able to dissociate emotions from sex. I mean, by my definition, I'm just saying I'm not a bot.

I can't approach your question the way you mean it. Since I can't imagine any girl I'd be with cheating on sole physical incentives, then what's left is emotional cheating, with or without sex involved. And if she was feeling for anyone in secret then I'm pretty sure she would want sex lol

MikeMcMansion · Answer

The fact that the term emotional cheating is taken seriously by anyone is weird to me. Is this like when she posts thirst traps, shows provocative pictures online to get attention? Still obviously cheating would be worse. I mean if some one is flirting and touching is going on…but they always stop before it becomes cheating is also pretty weird, you might as well come clean and break up for the both of you.

Still-alive · Answer

They're both fucking terrible but i would give the edge to emotional cheating because it wasn't just sex or whatever they actually fell out of love with you and in love with someone else.

I have never been cheated on and hopefully it stays that way but this is how i would imagine it would feel

MontBlanc · Answer

I think both can hurt deeply, but emotional cheating can be just as damaging, sometimes even more so.

Physical cheating violates trust in a tangible way, but emotional cheating can erode connection, intimacy, and respect over time.

It’s about where the heart and mind are invested.

A relationship relies on both emotional and physical honesty, so losing either can break it.

Anonymous · Answer

Physical cheating.

I mean both are bad but i consider physical cheating to be a line that once crossed over cannot be erased. At least with emotional cheating you can agree to cut the other person off and have nothing to do with them. You can't un-f*** someone.

Loki97 · Answer

Depends on your gender. If you’re a man the worst thing a woman can do is sleep with someone else. If you’re a woman the worst thing a man can do is give his emotions to another woman. Men value sex and can have multiple sexual partners but we will only ever love 1 woman at a time, however a woman can not have sex without feeling something for the person. Women value the emotional aspect.

VioletHaze · Answer

I'd feel more hurt someone threw away our relationship for some rando who meant nothing to him.

MrChinaski · Answer

I'm going to lodge my normal protest: What the heck is emotional cheating? It's called 'friendship', good people.  No doubt someone will correct my errant thinking.

Tarifa · Answer

You think physical cheating doesn't involve real feelings? I think both forms do.

Abbycado · Answer

Both are very hurtful. I think emotional takes a slight edge.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Both hurt bad but I think physical hurts more because obviously they are having sex.

Emotional cheating though it hurts bad, with time the other person will move on emotionally but the physical cheating will stay with them til they die.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Cheating is cheating both on the same level to me a person is a piece of shit either way for cheating.

slatyb · Answer

Physical cheating because it can infect the innocent partner with an STD.

lilBigPotato · Answer

Both suck but anything with feelings involved hurts more.

LiamS95 · Answer

Well I experienced both at the same time and I would say they're about equal but have a different hurt.

Larry30 · Answer

Give credit where credit is due, if there was no physical sex involved then at least there is morality and character. But if it's truly a fishing Expedition that's another problem because eventually it will become physical

Nikki1989 · Answer

Emotional abuse has more long-term consequences.

WonderingManII · Answer

I think it is easier to fall into an emotional cheating situation. But I also think you can stop it easier. Once you cross over into the physical, then you got to confess that one.

Berethor · Answer

Well I am a man, I don't care about emotions, so for me a physical cheating is worse.

jshm2 · Answer

There is no such thing as "emotional cheating". It's just you being insecure.

Crankor · Answer

One leads to the other so to say either is worse is subjective.

123459876 · Answer

Just the thought of either one makes me angry they're both bad

sage2021 · Answer

Both are unimaginably hurtful! 💔

Anonymous · Answer

Enough with this question! How many times have you asked it already? 😤🤬

MissSunshine2 · Answer

Both are bad. Cheating is cheating.

exitseven · Answer

physical cheating is worse.

loveyouoak · Answer

Both are equally hurtful.

worldscolide · Answer

Both are pretty fucking bad.

Kelly6 · Answer

@7phoenix7 Emotional

Luopio27 · Answer

What counts as emotional cheating?

dudeinohio · Answer

Both equally.

khyabaldwin04 · Answer

physical cheating

Which is worse in a relationship: emotional cheating or physical cheating?

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Which is worse in a relationship: emotional cheating or physical cheating?

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