Samanthasman wrote:...
Sexuality is a very emotion-inducing and self-absorbing topic.
Many go off the deep end at the notion that someone else could have more than one lover, although they wouldn't think twice about loving more than one parent, child, sibling, friend or pet. Some ostracize or kill a family member whose lover or spouse doesn't meet their approval. Some fight to discredit or punish those whose sexual orientation varies from their own.
Some recognize, accept and try to understand the power of sexuality, in whatever form it takes. They believe, as I do, that sexuality isn't something you can just turn on or off to suit societal preferences.
Others aren't so accommodating, or can't even see clearly enough through the topic to try. Some feel gay folks should just abstain from gayness. Some feel unmarried people should just abstain from sex. Some wish to deprive others of birth control, because surely abstinence is the answer. And so on.
Though I expect to be burned at the stake for this statement, some forum members seem to be falling into the former group, but in a less mainstream context. They don't seem to accept that your wife may be struggling to be true to both you and herself, recognizing the overwhelming power of her sexuality. Yes, it's true: love/lust/whatever can overwhelm. Some don't get that, while others can't help literally risking their lives for it.
Her sexuality may be selfish by the standards of some, just as many feel gay/unmarried/coloured/teenage/whatever sexuality is, but that perspective (judgement) doesn't solve much. On the contrary, I believe it induces people to lie.
I don't know your wife so I wouldn't dream of judging her character. I've no idea whether she's overwhelmed by her sexuality and lust for another, or simply likes to be bossy. How you feel about where she is on that continuum is subjective, and it's up to you to know how much you respect her character, obviously.
In many cases, sexuality and other driving forces don't quite fit within the context of a specific marriage commitment or societal expectations. In such cases, I believe we'd do well to adjust those expectations instead of pointing fingers at those who don't quite fit them.
Very best regards