Is watching/looking at porn cheating?

Question

This seems to be appearing a lot lately on forums, "My partner cheated on me, they watched porn." I mean I don't see the issue. How is it different than reading a saucy romance novel where the sex is described in great detail? If you're just watching/looking/reading, and not engaging with someone else (in person or on a live cam etc), then I don't think it's cheating. I'm curious what other GLOW users think.

Answer

This is the most overly asked question on this app....

Answer

I realize that people set different boundaries within their relationships- and that's fine... 
But it is a pet peeve of mine for people to call things like that "cheating". Looking at porn is completely different from actually physically and/or emotionally being involved with someone else while supposedly committed to a monogamous relationship. 
Come up with a different word 🙃 
Like, yes it is a betrayal if it goes against a prior agreement, but not really an infidelity in the same way actually having another whole relationship/affair would be! 
It really bugs me, because the word "cheating" has such weight, it implies something much more deeply notorious and heartbreaking for many people. It implies them having put their partner at physical risk (STDs) and stripping them of consent to the actual situation. 
It's a lot more serious, usually, and quite distinct, from watching porn- there is no physical risk or other relationship at all. 
However, it can be a betrayal & can be serious- depending on the circumstances. 
But I feel misled when people say "they cheated" and they did not do the relationship with another person thing at all. 
Perhaps this is semantical, but I'm particular about language I suppose.

Answer

My opinion?....as requested....
Barring your partner from touching a part of their body with their own hand whilst in their own headspace is controlling and indicative of a self esteem issue within yourself which is projection. 
A mentally healthy person understands reasonable limits, boundaries, personal freedom and has enough confidence to not need to draw someone else into their psychosis by making "pacts" and "agreements" that they have no business making in an arena that has nothing to do with them.

Answer

If a person considers it cheating, then it's cheating. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks it whether or not they understand. Each person gets to decide what constitutes cheating in their eyes.

Answer

My husband has a SUPER high sex drive, like he could have sex 5 times a day every day if I'd let him. I'm 1 year pp and my sex drive is just barely coming back, so I wasn't always able to meet his sexual desires all the time, so he watched porn when I didn't feel like having sex.. let me just say, I'd MUCH rather him watch porn than actually go out and have sex with some else-to me that is actually cheating.

Answer

My wife and I do not consider it cheating.

Is watching/looking at porn cheating?

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