Sometimes ending the relationship will harm third parties, but the core relationship is harmful to one or both of the people in it. In a case like that cheating may be the least bad option.
What third parties do you mean? How do the effects on them in either case compare to the effects on one’s partner?
Primarily children. Consider a situation where one member of a married couple is unwilling or unable to engage in sexual contact but is otherwise a good partner and coparent. Divorce is traumatic for children and has a significant negative economic impact, life with single parents is also difficult. So the parent who still wants sex seeks it elsewhere. They are fulfilling an important aspect of their life, and preserving a healthy home life for their children and partner.
Why not just have two relationships?
Some people are monogamous and they are allowed to be in relationships that are satisfying and make them happy.
Then why cheat?
Because sometimes people would rather lie and sneak around than have an adult conversation about relationship expectations.
people would rather lie and sneak around
Well yeah. That’s a lot more fun then a conversation. And if you don’t care about your relationship anyways, why does it matter how you end it really? Might as well cheat
Edit: okay I’m being downvoted so I should mention that I know this “breakup strategy” isn’t for everyone but if you don’t mind permenantly burning a bridge, to me there is no harm in it. As long as the person you are cheating on them with knows what you are doing and is okay with it
