i left a “women centric” sub this morning after seeing an incredibly disturbing thread about a “home wrecker” who went around “stealing men”. the commentary and assumptions made from other women about her was very difficult to read and frankly a little shocking. very little responsibility was placed on the married person.

i have been cheated on and yes it hurt but i didn’t hate the 3rd party and only blamed my ex. no one can force someone to cheat or betray another. it’s hard for me to imagine making similar judgements on her character as the ones made in this thread.

i have never slept with a married man and i don’t agree with it but i can disagree with the actions without condemning her as a person. adult relationships are complicated.

the more i thought about it, the more it bothered me. not only was the married man barely responsible for his own actions, there isn’t an equal stereotype for men that sleep with married women- people just blame the woman in both situations. there is no scarlet A on his chest. and it’s not for a lack of men respecting boundaries if a woman says she’s married.

why are women the only ones shamed and blamed?