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Which makes us wonder: Why do so many women stay with their adulterous husbands? Hillary Clinton supported Bill Clinton during his presidency when his affair with Monica Lewinsky came to light. Likewise, former governor Elliot Spitzer's wife Silda stood next to him as he announced his resignation following a prostitution scandal. We understand women not wanting to cause further injury to their husbands' careers, but why stand by a man who publicly humiliated them?
Governor Mark Sanford recently admitted to having a year-long affair with an Argentine woman he called his "soul mate." How did his wife Jenny react? She moved out of the governor's mansion with their four sons. "It's one thing to forgive adultery; it's another thing to condone it," said Jenny Sanford. Forget his political obligations, Jenny said his personal life was the most affected. "His far more egregious offenses were committed against God, the institutions of marriage and family, our boys and me," said Sanford. "His career is not a concern of mine... I know that I'm going to be fine and not only will I survive, I'll thrive."
Wow, those are some powerful words! We don't believe that every woman whose husband cheats on her needs to immediately move out and file for divorce, but it was refreshing to see a woman like Mrs. Sanford stand up for herself, rather than her husband when news of his affair was made public. One factor that we can't deny: Jenny Sanford was independently wealthy and working as a successful Wall Street executive when she met her husband. Perhaps this can account for her comfort level in deciding to leave the former governor so easily, but then again, she might have left him either way.
Why do you think so many women stay with the men who have cheated on them and embarrassed them in the public eye? Are they setting a bad example for other ladies who have been wounded by extramarital affairs? [LA Times][CNN][NYDN]
