Should Teen Expose Dad’s Infidelity?

“How often do parents cheat on each other?” asked 16-year-old Jason during one of our recent sessions.

There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments. I knew this was going to be extremely difficult for Jason to handle, so I started by providing him with some facts about marital infidelity.

I told him that it was impossible to really know the answer to his question, as people are reluctant to be truthful. However, experts estimate that anywhere from 30 to 60 percent of married people have sexual relationships with someone other than their spouses.

“Do they usually get divorced once it’s discovered?” he asked.

“Not always,” I responded. “About 30 to 50 percent of the time, marriages can survive in spite of this serious problem.” He seemed reassured by my answer.

There are typically concerns behind such questions. Jason eventually told me that he had read an e-mail on his dad’s computer describing in graphic detail the sexual contact that had apparently been going on between his dad and a female friend.

Jason was emotionally traumatized after reading this letter. He felt angry at his dad, but Jason also was extremely confused about what if anything to say to his mom. If he told his mother, would he be responsible in a way for their divorce? If he kept silent, would he be enabling his dad to continue this deceitful behavior? How would Jason’s mom feel about her son if she found out that he knew but said nothing about his dad’s affair?

Here are the three things that I tell kids who are stuck in such a quandary.

1. Maintain your integrity. Honesty is the foundation of all relationships. There is simply no way Jason could live with his family and maintain silence about such an important issue. I encouraged Jason to speak with his dad and explain how emotionally traumatic it was learn of his father’s behavior. While not meant as a threat, it was also important for Jason to be firm with his dad that Jason could not continue living under this conspiracy of silence. Either his dad would speak with his mom or Jason would talk with her.
2. Prepare to deal with lots of confusing and intense feelings. Jason was an emotional wreck. He was mad at his dad, protective of his mom, fearful of his parents’ divorce and terrified about the uncertainty of what might be happening to his family. I encouraged Jason to reach out to friends and family for support, understanding and love.
3. Learn to forgive. Jason was furious at his dad, and rightfully so. I reminded Jason of all the good things that his dad had done over the years. Good people sometimes do bad and stupid things. I urged Jason to be open to the possibility of re-establishing his relationship with his father.

Marital infidelity can cause incredible pain and have lifelong negative consequences for the kids in these marriages. Is it worth it?

To sign up to receive Dr. Ramey’s Family Wise monthly E-newsletter, click here. For more of his columns, visit www.childrensdayton.org/ramey and join Dr. Ramey on facebook at www.facebook.com/drgregramey.

[Reprinted by permission from the September 11, 2010, edition of the Dayton Daily News, “Should Teen Expose his Dad’s Infidelity?”, Family Wise, Gregory Ramey, PhD]

© 2010, Ohio Family Law Blog. All rights reserved.

Guest Contributor Gregory Ramey, PhD, Child Psychologist and Dayton Daily News Columnist

Gregory Ramey, PhD, is a nationally recognized child psychologist and columnist who has worked at Dayton Children’s Hospital since 1979. In addition to his weekly column in the Dayton Daily News about effective parenting, Ramey has conducted more than 200 workshops and has recently been quoted in articles in Redbook, Parenting, Ladies Home Journal as well as columns distributed by the New York Times Wire Service.