Kindness and generosity are the things that can make a relationship last, according to a local clinical psychologist. I Photo from Unsplash (by Priscilla Du Preez)
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cheating stories have grown into a deafening roar lately as numerous cases of adultery caught videos surface in the online realm.
Recently, a married man from Mandaue City and his alleged mistress faced concubinage charges after authorities caught them both inside a pension house in Cebu City.
READ: Cebu Daily Newscast: Married man and his mistress caught inside Cebu City pension house
The costs of cheating
It was also recalled last August, that a married sales girl and her alleged lover landed in jail after getting caught by the woman’s husband allegedly committing adultery inside their house in Toledo City.
Despite differences in stories, the outcome remains tragically the same.
Lives are torn apart, families are fractured, and the bonds of trust are irreparably severed.
READ: Netizens on cheaters and their ‘kabits’: Pray for them
Gen Zs take
However, despite these unfortunate events, Generation Zs or the post-millennials remain steadfast in their belief in the power of love and meaningful connections through relationships and marriage.
In an interview with CDN Digital, Francis, 20, shared how he still believes in the value of love and marriage despite all the issues.
“These are all hurdles that come at a time. As a member of Gen Z, I believe love holds its value,” he said.
READ: Julia Montes, Alden Richards: Ilang take sa ‘cheating’ ug second chance
‘Just be smart’
Anne, 21, is also still very positive about the matter, especially with the ‘right’ person.
She mentioned that a person would have to be very careful about entering into a relationship and would have to make sure that one would not disregard the signs.
“Just be smart,” she said.
READ: The impacts of cheating? A psychologist’s take on adultery
Cheated in the past
On the other hand, Recca, 24, considered relationships and marriage not important because of the experience she had gone through in the past.
“Honestly, I have experienced [cheating] in my past relationship and that has caused trauma,” she said.
For her, it does not matter if they are in a relationship, as long as they are happy, she is contented with it.
READ: A priest’s take on why adultery happens: It’s a symptom of a bigger problem
Parents role model of happy relationship
Meanwhile, Dave, 23, thought that with the influence of social media, relationships nowadays become a necessity for others, especially young people who think they have to relate to what they have been watching online.
“You should look at relationship in a long-term perpective,” he stated.
Dave has remained hopeful toward marriage because he has a first hand model of a happy relationship that works and endures — that of his parents.
“People might oppose that marriage is not necessary, but I’ve seen it firsthand from my parents (how a happy marriage works),” Dave said.
READ: Marital infidelity is punishable under the law – SC
Cheating nothing new
Jae, 22, reiterated the history of how cheating issues had been around for ages and it’s not a “new phenomenon.”
“If you look back in history, you’ll find plenty of instances of infidelity,” she said.
The prevalence of cheating issues, for Jae, has made her more conscious of the importance of holding people accountable for their actions.
“We’re becoming more cautious about who we commit to because we understand that these partnerships are meant to be built on trust and mutual respect,” Jae said.
Also, it means people are more thoughtful and selective about who they choose to share their lives with, she said.