Letters to the Editor
-
Pherhaps you should consider masturbation.
I've got a few thoughts about desire and morality below, but the most important thought is this: Never forget masturbation is an option. In one's imagination one can be unfaithful to one's hearts content.
For many people who are not attractive or skilled enough to get multiple partner - or even one - it's the only option. Perhaps the LW ignored this alternative because he needs to prove he's still attractive, or maybe he thinks taking things in hand is for losers.
But if he can find time to get into compromising situations with other women, he can surely arrange some alone time with a Zalaman King movie. If sneaking around is part of the thrill, secret masturbation can be as exciting as vanilla infidelity, but one's partner is far more likely to understand if you get caught.
My other thought: One part of desire is the taboo, wanting what you cannot have, another part finds anyone who fits specific pattern attractive. Thus male or female, good relationship or not, your desire will test whatever boundary you have.
Desire itself is sociopathic, but how you act on them does not have to be. It's all about balancing an awareness of your true desires with your real standards. Closeting yourself for an unrealistic moral code is as bad as ruining a good marraige for a fleeting pleasure.
This LW screwed up, but not in an unamanagable way. If he's honest and calm about it, he can handle his desires, but if he romantacizes it with dramatic guilt and shame he's more likely to repeat it than move on.

