Fact check: After 15 years of monogamous marriage, I felt an attraction to a different person than my spouse. I flirted with them, they flirted back even though they knew I am married

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The analyses confirm that attraction and flirting outside of marriage after long-term commitment is a documented phenomenon. Research shows that emotional affairs often begin with flirting and are particularly common among women, especially with people known to their spouse. The situation described matches patterns observed in relationship studies.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

• The original statement omits that such attractions often stem from underlying relationship issues like feeling "unseen" or experiencing emotional disconnection
• Research indicates that flirting can be a precursor to emotional affairs, which can be as damaging to relationships as physical infidelity
• The statement doesn't mention that some couples successfully navigate such situations through open communication and by establishing clear boundaries
• An alternative approach mentioned in the analyses is ethical non-monogamy, which some couples choose after long-term monogamous relationships

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

• The statement presents the situation as a simple attraction and flirting, potentially downplaying the serious implications that research has shown such behavior can have on relationships
• By focusing solely on the attraction and flirting, it omits the crucial context of relationship dynamics that typically precede such situations
• The statement implies passivity ("I felt an attraction") while research suggests such situations often arise from active choices and unaddressed relationship issues
• The framing benefits those who want to normalize infidelity or minimize the impact of emotional affairs, while potentially harming partners who experience such behavior as a serious breach of trust