Infidelity: Pardon, acceptance and reconciliation

Francois Renaud M.A 14 February 2025

Which Option is Best After Infidelity?

Infidelity is a deeply unsettling experience that shakes the foundations of trust, attachment, and the very identity of a couple. In her book After the Affair, psychologist Janis Abrahms Spring offers a crucial distinction between acceptance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. These concepts help navigate the pain and choose a path that aligns with each person’s needs.

Forgiveness: A Personal Process, Not an Obligation

Janis Abrahms Spring differentiates between two types of forgiveness:

Deserved Forgiveness: This occurs when the unfaithful partner fully acknowledges the pain they caused, expresses sincere remorse, and actively works toward emotional repair. This type of forgiveness can often lead to rebuilding the relationship on a new foundation. Forgiveness does not mean justifying or excusing—it is a conscious choice to move forward without being consumed by pain.
Cheap Forgiveness: This happens when the unfaithful partner shows no remorse or makes no effort to repair the damage. The betrayed partner offers forgiveness because they feel they have no other option, often due to emotional dependence. In these cases, the person who committed infidelity does not participate in the healing process, leading to an unbalanced and unresolved dynamic.

Reconciliation: A Mutual Commitment

Reconciliation is often seen as the natural outcome of forgiveness. However, it is possible to process acceptance or forgiveness without choosing reconciliation. True reconciliation requires a shared desire to restore the relationship, along with deep work on understanding and rebuilding trust.

For reconciliation to be possible, the unfaithful partner must:

Fully take responsibility without minimizing or justifying their actions.
Be patient with their partner’s emotional healing process.
Provide concrete guarantees of transparency and commitment.

The betrayed partner, in turn, must:

Assess whether they genuinely want and are able to rebuild the relationship.
Ensure that their partner is willing to make the necessary efforts.
Find ways to manage their pain without using it as a means of control.
Reflect on their own shortcomings in the relationship without blaming themselves for the infidelity.

Acceptance: Acknowledging Reality Without Validating the Act

Acceptance is another path when forgiveness is not possible. It involves choosing to move forward without staying trapped in anger or resentment, without necessarily forgiving or reconciling with the unfaithful partner. Acceptance is often necessary when there is no cooperation from the partner who committed the betrayal.

This form of acceptance can be particularly important for those who decide not to continue the relationship. It allows them to turn the page, integrating the event into their life story without letting it dictate their emotions or future decisions. It is a way to heal independently and not be defined by someone else’s actions.

Choosing Your Own Path

Everyone reacts differently to infidelity. Some will choose to accept and move on alone, others will find healing through forgiveness, and some couples will embark on a long journey of reconciliation. The key is to avoid feeling pressured to forgive or reconcile if it does not align with one’s emotional needs.

This approach emphasizes that healing is a personal journey, where each individual must find the path that allows them to regain their balance and dignity.