Lois Wyse: ThirdAge Insider |
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Office Affairs: Everyone Suffers
Even before Monica Lewinsky became headline news, we all knew about men and women who sought sexual gratification in the workplace. Office romance often leads to more than just hanky-panky. As we've seen, the participants usually don't consider how their actions will affect other people.
Let's all understand that sexual gratification and falling in love with someone with whom one works are often two different things.
But while attention may focus on the man or woman who strays, we sometimes get so involved in the couple and the repercussions of their affair on office politics that we forget about the spouse who must face the hurtful facts of an affair or sexual misconduct.
Hanky Panky at Work
Is there an illicit affair going on in your office?
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Today's letter reminds us that every so-called wronged spouse does not have the high profile or resources of Hillary Clinton, who saw her favorable ratings soar when she became the woman who stood by her man. Despite the fact that Mrs. Clinton was instrumental in getting her husband to the White House, her approval ratings never really climbed until, like many others, she suffered.
Suffering seems to increase all of our approval ratings. Today's first letter comes from a man who expresses sympathy for Mrs. Clinton. He's been there.
Dear Lois
Last year I found evidence of an affair between my wife and her boss. I was devastated. We have three young children, and my wife is a teacher who felt that, even though we have a family, she wanted to help other people. It seems she helped the assistant principal a lot more than other kids. I am staying with her because of the children, but now she insists that if the marriage (or so-called marriage) continues, she must be allowed to come and go with her "boyfriend," who is unmarried but wants more of her time! I feel like a male Hillary Clinton. What's your opinion? THE WRONGED HUSBAND Dear Wronged
Sounds to me as if you're hiring a housekeeper, not keeping a wife. Marriage is not meant to be a convenience for kids. Don't you think your children (you never mentioned their ages) know that Mom's devotion is somewhere outside their four walls? I think you and your wife need some serious counseling. Your wife has to understand that she is a wife and mother--or she is an ex-wife and mother. That's something I think you have to understand, too. If you even wonder what your next move should be, you need a better understanding of family structure. Any readers who faced this kind of problem?
Possessive Daughter-in-Law Woes and More 
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