Actually, no, wives shouldn't let their husbands cheat

Author — and undercover mistress — Holly Hill argues that women would be better off excusing their husbands' adulterous ways. Enough, says Salon's Mary Elizabeth Williams

Are we hardwired for infidelity?
(Image credit: Corbis)

"Managed adultery"? That's the prescription for marital success that author Holly Hill came up with after spending a year as a "mistress for hire" to write her polarizing memoir, Sugarbabe. Excuse me, says Mary Elizabeth Williams in Salon, a system by which a wife should monitor her (apparently) fated-to-cheat husband like "an easily trained pet"? What a terrible conclusion. That said, there's merit to the debate. Couples should absolutely discuss their wants and desires, especially if one partner isn't getting what he or she needs. "But honest to God, how much more of this 'Wanna keep your man? Let him stray' tripe are we supposed to swallow?" Here, an excerpt:

"I think that cheating men are normal," Hill explains. "Monogamous men are heroes. Monogamy does have a place in relationships, but not on the long-term. Men are hard-wired to betray women on the long-term." There you have it: A man and a woman can take the same vow, but the guy who keeps it is a hero. Hey, where should the women who stay faithful line up to get their medals?...

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us