Cheating

Cheating is a breach of the expectations, agreements, or boundaries that people in a relationship have made with one another. What counts as cheating is not identical in every relationship: it may involve sexual contact, emotional secrecy, hidden dating activity, concealed spending, or any other behavior that breaks a clearly understood agreement.

In non-monogamous relationships, the presence of other connections does not remove the need for honesty. The difference between consensual non-monogamy and cheating is the presence of informed agreement. A clear relationship agreement, along with revisitable boundaries, gives everyone a shared understanding of what is welcome, what needs discussion, and what is off limits.