If you're already a baby, a narcissistic mama's boy, I imagine it is very hard to get used to a new baby in the house.

So you make it better by boinking every tart that breathes.

That is is when communication and personal ethics are supposed to kick in. And emotional maturity. Why don't all new father's cheat then?

He's been cheating for 3 confirmed years. I don't buy kids being the issue that strayed him.

Dr. Ben Sobel: What happened with your wife last night?
Boss Paul Vitti: I wasn't with my wife, I was with my girlfriend.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Are you having marriage problems?
Boss Paul Vitti: No.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Then why do you have a girlfriend?
Boss Paul Vitti: What, are you gonna start moralizing on me?
Dr. Ben Sobel: No, I'm not, I'm just trying to understand, why do you have a girlfriend?
Boss Paul Vitti: I do things with her I can't do with my wife.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Why can't you do them with your wife?
Boss Paul Vitti: Hey, that's the mouth she kisses my kids goodnight with! What are you, crazy?

He's been cheating longer than he's had kids - so that argument doesn't hold water!

@octobersky: I think a lot of the ones that don't would if they were able to.

Oh boo hoo, the poor little male ego doesn't get enough attention once the helpless baby arrives. Grow up and use your power of reasoning.

Their older child, Sam, was born in 2007 and his wife became pregnant in late 2006, right around when his alleged cheating began so the argument actually does hold water.

TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

With apologies to W. Blake

@youlie: By the same token, there's a lot of men that could cheat and choose not to.

I think you're missing octobersky's point.

Poor poor tiger.. wasn't getting enough attention when Elin was changing diapers, feeding & playing with the children, or Lord help us taking a bath. He makes me sick to my stomach altho I was not surprised that he was a cheater. I knew he was a spoiled brat with no manners, sportsmanship or anything else. Tiger is a poor excuse for a man, father & husband. I hope Elin takes him to the cleaners.

Mrs Kate Shatzkin, Not all new Fathers cheat. Maybe you are just mad that your husband cheated or your father did. Just because he is Tiger Woods does not mean he is a good or faith full person. In my eyes he is a scumbag. I have done three tours over in the War and have visited multiple countries along the way. It could have very easy cheated on my wife and new baby. That never crossed my mind. So please Kate, think more than half a second next time you put me and Tiger in the same category.

Variety is fun and unexpected new sounds, movements, and a different body feel add to the pleasure. Once you've been with the same (even beautiful person) for more than a hundred times, it's still enjoyable - but less exciting than those first few times.

That is the truth about cheating? Are you kidding me? I think this author is smoking something really good. Tiger is a narcissist, that is why he cheated. He could and he could have any girl that comes along because unfortunately there are a lot of young women that live for sleeping with a celebrity. They are a dime a dozen and they are they conveniently when you go into bars and nightclubs, so in Tiger's mind, why not? My wife is at home with my mother and my kids doing what she is suppose to be doing. She won't know.

Well, duh. Get real Gary Neuman and come back to earth. So technically what you are saying is, I should cheat because I just brought a new child into this world and it has displaced me from my life before I had my baby.

Lonely, displaced only if you are a MAN CHILD. Sadly many men are.

Most of these comments are obviously from women. I actually think that the author, Kate, is on to something. Being in a situation similar to tigers,(although I have not and will not cheat on my wife, nor do I condone what he did) I think that there is a feeling of not getting enough attention from your spouse in many instances. Now I know that many women will boo-hoo me, but its true...it is just the way it is...and I think that if more women understood this, and were proactive about the situation instead of saying 'oh poor you' (as my wife does) maybe instances like this would reduce...Not eliminate...but reduce

I for one am shocked that one of the richest and arguably the most famous athlete in the world has trouble with the idea that he can't do anything(one) he wants.

I believe it comes down to human nature. Tiger is young, proven physically, monied and of high social stature. He represents an excellent reproductive opportunity for most females and simply did what males have done for eons - accept advances from willing female partners. There's not a lot of thought that goes into it. We may think we have complete control of our basic drives, but we don't - just as we can't will ourselves to stop eating. We can check our behavior but in the end, human nature always wins out.

Maybe its time to redefine cheating. What does this actually take from the partner? Nothing! If she actually unconditionally loved him she would be thrilled that he was out having a good time. Why do we have to OWN our partners? Its christian dogma. A balanced individual would not have such 'taught' emotional attachments. If it was not such a no no there would likely be much less cheating.

So where where's the book about why women cheat? I'm a soon to be 45 year-old male. I've know lots of cheaters among the couples my wife and I have socialized with over our 22 years of marriage. On average, I would say it runs about 60/40, with more women cheaters than men. With one couple, their relationship actually started as an affair, and shockingly they both went on to cheat with a new set of partners.

I'm sure women don't like to be stereotyped, so why do it to men? Not all men cheat. That's just as bad as saying all women are materialistic and once a man's money runs out, then the woman is off to the next. You people make me wonder.

As a faithful husband, I believe that a new daddy should be faithful, but there is some wisdom to not holding others up to ideals as much as having compassion for the reality of human needs (like the need for attention that most of us have). An ideal is poor comfort to a wife who could have simply remembered more often that their husband is a human with human needs.

Excuse me, but if the male of the species wasn't so fixated on the brain between his legs and more into integrity and morality, what a peaceful world this would be.
DISGUSTED FEMALE

I think all this Tiger stuff is too bad. Is he really so terrible to have had an affair - something that a great many pro atheletes do. Why is it such a bigger fuss the Kobe Bryant? The guy could have stolen, killed, violently hurt someone - but he had affairs.
My wife and I agree that affairs happen because the is something missing in a relationship (either male or female) and the biggest issue is to repair, improve, and move on.

I don't think it's really the time for the public to make a bunch of rude comments about this man's situation. We are in no way helping him or his wife heal from the pain of his actions. She'll forever have the women's names etched into her mind. He's said that he was involved with other women during his marriage and apologized to the public. That answers the public side of this. Now it time for he and his wife to try to recover for the damage that's been done. My greatest hope is that Tiger, his wife and children remain together, and can also grow beyond the events of the past 3 years. Although, I do realize asking even that is going to take tons of work, tears, emotional strength, forgiveness, love and understanding on both sides. It might never happen, but the public debate will only result in more public pain for the wife and children.

Having children is not the issue in this case with Tiger Woods, since he had been cheating longer than that. It MUST HAVE BEEN A MAN THAT WROTE THAT STUPID QUESTION.............Come on, attack the problem - it's Tiger's arrogance tne personal flaws. He used to curse on the greens all the time and he wasn't criticized for that either. He's a spoiled rotten kid. He deserves for Elin and kids to leave him -- dirt poor -- and let him start over again with all the whores who were willing to have an affair with a married man to begin with. They are all pigs along ith Tiger.

Seriously? Loneliness and not enough attention? Isn't being a father about being selfless and living for your children and sacrificing for the best of your family? This is why marriage counselors are donkeys.

@charliz: Yes, because we all know there is no such thing as a cheating female, is there? Before you yell at the 'male species', realize that there are just as many women that do this.

Stones, glass house, etc.

What about the women who feel lonely, and overwhelmed because the lazy husband does nothing but complain he's not getting any? Why doesn't the woman get any? Why is the woman doing EVERYTHING and getting NOTHING in return, yet this is an excuse because a man is "lonely". Seriously, men are the most selfish sons of bitches.

just wonderg fo hw long women hv 2 pt up with lines lik "im sori honey neva meant to hurt u or our kid" they ar neva sori until netted!

@T: The woman is doing everything and getting nothing? The woman has plenty of responsibilites, sure, and I am not excusing Tiger's actions, but how is she not getting anything?

Tiger is the best golfer in the world right now, he brings in millions of dollars a year for his family by working his ass off and training till his body is sore all over. Getting nothing in return? He's the one providing for his family; in spades I might add, and probably is providing a much better life for them than anyone else could.

Seems people want to either forgive or crucify the famous for common misdeeds. I just found out that our first child will be a boy, due in April '10. Is there a difference in intimacy even now? Sure, and I would expect the same next year, not becuase we love each other less but becuase there's more stress and distraction. Committed couples deal with these things and work to increase their intimacy. None of us have the insight or knowledge to say whether or not these 2 humans are working at this, or if, privately, theyare willing to be open about their relationship. All I'm saying is whats wrong for you, my be right for others. Judgement of others is not the right or responsibility of good christians.

So....the real question here is....

Since men (in general...but many women too) are such dismal failures at this, should we say being faithful is unimportant and thus failing does not matter? Should we blame wife, baby, stress, life, media, society etc. etc. for this and excuse failure? Should we just accept this as the way it is and move on,...overlooking failure? Or perhaps should we reward the faithful...and perhaps shame/punish the failures...this failure has a price you know, even if it only is a broken home and warped kids.

I also believe every marriage should start with a prenup that puts a % of assets price tag for breaking this vow...it would at least let both parties know how willing the other was to being faithful!

Hey...
This is related to different kind of intelligences. The fact that he's the best golf player doesn't make him a wiz in life issues. Clearly he was victim of his weak mind. The difference between those cheating vs non-cheating men relies in their ability to think and take action. Some people think ahead at great detail that make them avoid doing risky things. On the other hand, some men just think (other not even think at all) that they have everything under control, but always forget some details, e.g. cheating is an act of two, this means things can go out of control if one part of the equation becomes unstable. This is human nature, please, don't try to make analogies with lions or monkeys remember, we are unique, we suppose to have something called, "reasoning".
This is part of life, and it's good that this miserable behavior is exposed like this, because in this way at least some people could "learn" how things can become so bad. But it's nature, men and women will continue cheating due to complexities of mind.

Regards!

What a pityful excuse ,and i blame both Tiger ,and the females without any integrity ,for hurting his family.
He now needs to realise he is an ADULT..with a wonderful wife ,two beautiful children ,and having chosen this ,ought to grow up...FAST!!
Tarts and celeb hangers on ,will always be there...but your wife and children may not!

Every woman out there, I'm sure, thinks this is blasphemous. Thats because you hold the most important key to keeping the man happy, and whether you in complete denial or live with your head in the ground, and whether you like it or not its the ugly truth. Married men are expected to work hard, die before their wives and be happy being 3rd or fourth in line for needs. Rich or poor, makes no difference a man who's needs are met rarely strays. Don't like this part of reality then you need to check your own because its the ugly truth that women constantly try to bury under mountains of excuses because they don'y want to deal with it!

Apparently, there are a lot of people with very insecure self-images. The fallibility of others is attacked with relish and enjoyment on boards like this. It's clear that many people need the follies of others to bolster their own opinion of themselves. The other side of the pendulum is those that excuse behavior like this by explaining that we're just animals; they ignore the rationality that we do possess. Whether due to evolution or design, our self-awareness cries out that we have the ability to rationalize our decision making process. All in all, what you have is trite people on both sides of the spectrum, hampered by not being able to get over themselves, taking themselves and their knowledge too seriously. Let's try to have a modicum of understanding and class.

As long as that thing between a woman's legs feels so good and the thing between a man's legs is such high-maintenance this will remain the case.

What is a man supposed to do if his wife denies him sex and/or any affection for years? yet kids are involved. Are men supposed to just suffer? This may not be the case but just an example of why men cheat.

Fine, I'll say it... We (yes Im a married man) cheat because most women after getting married think they can stop looking good. This is multiplied further after a child. Men have male friends for hanging out, good conversation, and just general BS'ing....We have women around for their beauty. Lose the beauty or sexiness and there is little need to keep them around.

"Isn't being a father about being selfless and living for your children and sacrificing for the best of your family?"

Well, as Alan Bloom wrote in The Closing of the American Mind, this is what being a father USED TO be about.

The tradeoff for this selflessness was authority and respect.

We have eliminated all authority and respect for fathers and placed all married men in a position of extraordinary personal vulnerability to their spouses, who can divorce them at any moment and scram with the kids and with whatever marital assets they can seize.

And we now expect men to do FOR NOTHING what they used to do before for security, authority and respect. And we have discovered that this new offer isn't being received that well.

And so we end up with men like Tiger, who know they can afford the consequences of divorce, and without fear to keep them in line they do whatever they want. There's no positive reason for Tiger to behave; those have all been taken away by modern mores. And he can manage the potential negative reasons. So why should he give a damn?

If Tiger wasn't famous and Rich her would not be with her. He is not that good looking, it is his other assets that attract women.
It is as simple as "any port in a storm"

"I also believe every marriage should start with a prenup that puts a % of assets price tag for breaking this vow...it would at least let both parties know how willing the other was to being faithful!"

Actually, I think the reverse is true.

If all marriages included a prenup that said that the wife got absolutely nothing if their husband left them, and said that either party can avoid paying child support by volunteering to take the children with them after the marriage, I think you'd see male infidelity drop way, way down.

Because women would stop treating their wedding day as their golden opportunity to start treating their husbands like crap, backed up by the threat of expropriatory divorce and child support case law.

And it's sort of interesting if you look at the 'mis-attributed paternity rates'. Estimates vary, but DNA tests show that up to 10% of kids are not the children of the man who thinks he is their father. And this number only represents the women who get pregnant and then cuckold their partners, not the number who are cheating. It cuts both ways, always has, and the rich and famous have always been the most promiscuous. All in all, no surprises whatsoever.

Had this discussion with my girlfiriend (we are both divorced and in our early 40s) just last night. I have always been a faithful man, in fact it was my wife that cheated on me, not once, but twice, that led to my divorce (stay at home mom's feel 'lonely and neglected too, I guess...). But I told her that while me and lots of other guys out there have the ability to remain faithful in the course of our 'normal' lives...I could not in a second promise with 100% certainty that I could remain faithful if I had 23 year old models throwing myself at me 365 days a year...unfortunately that just doesn't happen to computer programers....lol. I think the biggest mistake most of these guys make is getting married in the fist place....Jeter is the only one doing it right...he can do what (or who) he pleases and there is no scandal and no losing tens of millions in divorce settlements.

I know I felt loneliness when my first child arrived, so I can understand.

I don't think Tiger is a "Dog", because he made rookie mistakes - texting to your chick on the side while at home is a no-no. I think Tiger realized that he could get things from women, not have the emotional baggage, and they appreciated him a little more than his wife did.

It is tough making the transition to marriage for a normal guy - you get tired of apologizing. So I can only image how tough it is for his ego to come down to earth and deal with being a husband and dad.

So many regular guys fail at it, why would he?

Interesting and very diverse comments.

I can't help feeling there's a lot of very hurt and angry people out there projecting their OWN unhappy situations onto Tiger.

Not that I blame them: It's a sordid - and very sad - affair.

I think this is getting blown way out of proportion---Everyone wants to get involved because of Tiger's star status & popularity. These are the things that the media should stay out of- but that will never happen. I think most people have a skeleton or two in their closet--& I'll bet they want them to stay there. I think it's time we all try to concentrate on positive things & not get so involved in the negative things--keep our noses where they belong.

The real underlying problem is the vestigial ideas of monogamy and "cheating". These were relatively important when sex and procreation were tightly linked and paternity was not easily verified, but now they have no real underlying value.

Instead, they simply result in an unrealistic marital "social contract", causing pain and difficulty for both spouses.

What we should learn is to value intimate primacy rather than exclusivity between spouses. This will perhaps take another generation or two to become generally accepted in our society, but the sooner we achieve this, couple by couple, the better families will prosper and the happier everyone will be.

Honestly, if this was me, none of you would care.... so he cheated, let him and his wife deal, don't you have your own problems to take care of instead of ripping someone for their own mistakes?

We have been enthusiastic fans from the beginning, but my wife expressed it right. He's just another " scum bag that happens to play golf ".

i have nothing to say about Tiger, because i don't know the guy. however, those of you who think it's acceptable for a man to cheat on the woman he married and had children with BECAUSE she's pregnant, or has a newborn, or any other related reason, are human waste and the reason society is failing.

a baby is not some gift from a man to a woman, it is a child which both parents are OBLIGATED to care for and provide stability for and the burdens associated with such shouldn't be restricted to women-- they already bear nearly 100% of the physical responsibility. it shouldn't even be an issue that the woman is so busy taking care of the baby she doesn't have time to pay attention to her husband, because--here's the shocking part-- HE SHOULD BE DOING IT TOO. women work now. it's 2009. and they are subjected to a whole host of other modern demands on top of new motherhood-- and, in case you were unaware? carrying and giving birth to a child isn't all sunshine and cuppycakes. so the guy feels left out? boo hoo. it's because he's lacking, not because she is. don't like your wife when she's pregnant? don't get her that way. i'd like to see any man put up with pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood, if he thinks being "lonely" (when he should be bonding with his family) is any kind of excuse. for absolute shame, all of you.

I'm sure his wife does not want to hear that-I'm only human,you don't give me attention I "deserve" crap.
He is sorry now because he got caught.If he did not he would still be "at it".He was making BIG money from being the "clean cut" guy,the example people and KIDS look up to-the one who can have it "all" and still be a decent person.
Been there-done that:first you start to suspect something is going on-but you are being told it's all in your head, you are crazy, jealous....etc.So you want to trust(marriage is about trust)-and then this............

You realize then that while you were trying to be a good spouse,good parent-the one you trusted was intimate with someone else and not only once,but many times and with more then one person.You realize that the person who was sleeping next to you may have been sleeping with someone else the day before.People will tell you-you can get over it,work at it and so on.....NOPE< yes you can forgive, but you never forget.Yes, Elin will get over this,she has two healthy children who need her,she will realize they need their father also(even though I would be careful since it does not look like Tiger makes great choices with these woman)-simply trashy.But then again only a trash will sleep with a man knowing his wife is pregnant.So once again, Elin will in time get over this-however I don't think with Tiget at her side.

I am SO sick of it always being about the guys. What about the woman who not only has to deal with the home management and children but she too has emotional and physical needs. Then she is supposed to have to take care of her husband's sense of being left out. C'Mon..its time to grow up and start pitching in to help with the kids.Find out what its like to have those tasks and in the process you might actually bond better with your small children. If a man truly loves his wife he will give it that extra effort just like in team sports and other situations where people need to work together. Tiger spent his whole Life learning all the rules and shots of Golf. He never learned to work as a team or to go through having to share and sacrifice. It's always been all about Him!! Then he chases a young 21 year old sweetheart who gives up her own goals to create a family with him. From all reports Elin is the nicest, calmest and most grounded person her friends have known. She was supposed to provide grounding for Tiger who lived as a Golf gypsy and playboy. She will recover but I wonder if Tiger will EVER really learn to consider anyone or thing more than himself and his golf.

I think that Tiger is disgusting and a poor excuse for a man. Poor baby...he wasn't getting enough attention....too bad, grow up. Or maybe there is no hope for him. I feel sorry for his wife and mother of his two young children. Unfortunately she married a loser.

I like it when this blog delves into family dysfunction.

Tiger is just showing how truly selfish and immature he truly is. Golf is a GAME. He chose to get married and create a family. He also wants hot sex when he is on a golf tour. Someone to idolize him when he comes off the golf course. He also wanted a Lovely wife and Family. Now how does Elin raise these kids if she is expected to please King Eldrick , holding two little kids, and taking care of a home and all that implies. Tiger is a Greedy, immoral and selfish person..who wants it all. Three mistresses, family and the adulation of the world because he can play some game most people cannot afford to play. He's a cheetah and always be. Divorce is ahead and Ijust hope the 3 people he decided to be a Father and Husband to can recover quickly from being so abandoned by a man who values sex and everything about HIM over Family, love and stability

I can’t believe this point has not been made: What happens if one of these women happens to end up pregnant and bears a child by Tiger? So all of the children from the first marriage and then possibly the second are left with what? Perhaps the little child who is kicked to the side of the road without a father in the picture is not the ideal environment. So what are we as a society doing to the children who are the future of our world when men decide it is okay to conduct themselves in this way? There is a consequence to multiple people in these scenarios. No children then nobody’s business… but with children the equation is changed. If people care about their offspring then they should think twice and stop before they engage in this game of roulette with their children’s hearts and future well being. If you are not willing to do this then don’t have children.

Reading the comments I have to ponder, why do we care if Tiger Woods cheats? It is a personal matter between himself, his wife, his sponsors, and God.

We do so because instead of focusing on the pain and misery in this world, we want to feel better than someone whom we think has fallen. We do so because we stand on our soap box when we have a grave yard of skeletons in our closets; because we can; because those who judge him are either religious people who know better than to judge others, or live such abject miserable lives that someone else's transgressions make us feel a tiny bit better about our miserable failure of an existences.

I don't care if Tiger Woods cheated on his wife. I care that the economy in the US is in the toilet. I care that people are out of work and are suffering and losing their homes. I care that hundreds of thousand in third world countries die of hunger each day. I care that greed has destroyed our once great country.

I care less about trying to prop myself up while pointing the finger at others. For those of you who need to do so, you also have to find what is missing in YOUR lives.

Funny of all the relationships that I've had and know...its the woman who have cheated!

Using that logic--> my marriage and children have cost me ungodly amounts of money and I am living paycheck to paycheck.

Guess I'll go out and take money from a bank. Cause I need dough. Oh, and I will put down false information on my tax returns too (see how I avoided the word "cheating".. it's not cheating... it's just finding creative ways to fulfill my ever important needs)

I'm really tired of seeing people defend Tiger. It does not matter one bit that he's a celebrity. That doesn't entitle him to special treatment in his marriage. It's not about being a guy either because half of men don't cheat. The point is Tiger made a vow to be FAITHFUL and NEVER cheat on his wife. He lied to her and to God when he broke that vow. The point of getting married is to be faithful. If you want to have more than one partner then don't get married. He gets no sympathy from me.

I've several of you alls post, and what gets me is how many of you act like it's ok to cheat. mr. Seniorman saying it's ok because feeling the same woman gets tiring, or because we shouldn't own our partners....Get real!!! Maybe you all need God in your lifes. When you marry he says you become one. Maybe something is missing and they need to work on that, but that's no excuse or any man or woman to cheat on the other.

Regarding Arlene's comment; this isn't about judging (at least not for me). I agree with you that all of us, ALL of us are humans and sin. But there are 2 things that are different in this situation:

1. We held him up in the highest regard. Perhaps we shouldn't have done so in the first place, but we did. Now we feel deflated to see one of our heroes fall.
2. It would be different if he made a mistake or two on a lonely night, or perhaps had one side "friend"... but this was so much more... text messages, voice mails. It was pre-meditated, and long lasting, and with many women (I'm sure we'll find more soon...)
There really is such thing as "matters of degree", and this one is pretty far up the chart....
I have had many, many chances in my travels to do what he did, but I chose not to. I used to curse and throw my golf clubs, but I matured and learned to enjoy golf, even when playing bad.

Tiger needs to grow up now... hopefully he will...

Not getting enough attention from his wife? When each of my two daughters were born, their mother & i were too dammed busy tending to OUR children to think about much else. He may not have been getting what he wanted as a husband, but he should have been overflowing as a father.

I think the outrage is not so much about the fact that he cheated but the blatant double-standard in his relationship.

Tiger married Elin which officially took her "off the market," especially after she had his children and apparently all along he's been playing the field and acting like a single guy.

I'm sure Elin would like romantic, sexy evenings out with handsome men but am sure Tiger would hit the roof.

The outrage is that like a two year old Tiger wants to have his cake and eat it too.

many of these comments are very sad. I am a new mother, and know that some men and women cheat and some are faithful. having a new baby is wonderful, yet both the mother and father have to put there own needs aside to raise a baby. Both have needs that are neglected VERY often. Women more often just dont have time to sulk about it because there job is a 24hr job, not 9 or 10. Maybe the stress of a new baby causes some to cheat, but it is not an excuse. It is purely selfish and we as adults can learn to do without sometimes. We can have everything we want when we want like at mcdonalds. i have made many sacrifices and so has my husband since our baby was born. it is worth it and for a good purpose. children are a gift. ask anyone who has had trouble getting pregnant. When our needs are neglected, no matter what they are, we should TALK about it, or even fight if need be-before not after cheating, and not run away and take care of ourselves. ITS NOT ABOUT YOU. EVERYONE has to give a lot when a child is in the picture, and NOT be resentful about it. SELFISHNESS makes a person ugly and disgusting. We all have some selfishness, but should deal with it, not wallow in it. Selfishness is manure.

I think the key to this type of behavior after children is typical, not condoning his behavior, but kids and babies do require a great deal of attention. I think a lot of this can be avoided if both parents share in the responsibilities. Husbands can help more with the children, dishes, all the things that wear new moms or moms in general out because they are going all day 24/7. Being a mom is completely exhausting! There is no time for you! Mine are 15 & 17 now, and my marriage also fell apart afetr children due to not enough communication of each others needs. Very simple really; communicate more and be your spouses rock. Hopefully, they will manage to fix their relationship and make it a #1 priority, instead of making the children the #1 priority. Cheating is not OK, but I do feel a marriage can likely be salvaged.

"A man gets his first mistress when his wife gets pregnant." -Updike (approx)

What disappoints us most is the hypocrisy. Tiger made his BILLION $$ from endorsements based on his squeaky-clean image, which we now know was a lie. "Regular folks" of both sexes have affairs and we pay no mind. They justify their behavior by laying some of the blame on the spouse, without mentioning that the spouse might be a stand-up individual, and might not deserve the absolute heartbreak that adultery often brings. At least Tiger won't play that card.

So how do you explain away the 31 month affair? This is the poorest excuse I've heard to date and you should be ashamed of yourself for condoning his actions.

OK, folks, I've let you all talk, but I'll just say this once...I personally am not condoning his actions at all. I was exploring some reasons why people cheat, especially fathers, for whom the stakes are higher than if they don't have children. I think there's been some interesting discussion on that point, and I'll let that continue. KS

To all above who have tried to excuse or justify Woods' cheating: there are moral truths that can not be argued, and one is that cheating is wrong. Woods is an arrogant pig, and by the way, he's a poor sport who exhibits temper tantrums on the golf course too.

To all the women above who have stereotyped all men as dogs who can not control themselves: you're ignorant and make me sick too. I've known more women that have cheated and lied than men.

To all the women above who play the card that taking care of kids is tough work and tiring: I agree w/ you, and also agree that fathers should do their fair share. However, it does not absolve you from being a wife to your husband. The Bible tells us that our spouse is to be held above all others (w/ exception of God), this includes your children and parents. And before you fire off a response saying "that's BS", don't bother telling it to me, tell it to God. It's His Word. So, when you're too tired for sex day after day, or blow up to 300-lbs from pregnancy and don't feel like losing the weight, don't be surprised by your husband's displeasure.

Oh no...

You guys that are blaming the woman for "losing her looks" ought to take a closer look in the mirror.

The gut and love handles, the bald spot on top, the morning breath, the inability to do simple tasks like pick up your dirty underwear or change the roll on the toilet paper (which explains the dirty underwear), the body hair on the bar of soap in the shower, the almost sexual infatuation with the remote control ... we kissed prince charming and he turned into a frog!

Would that justify a woman cheating? No, no more than a woman putting on a few pounds justifies a man cheating.

I stand on a scale, and even a pound extra makes me cringe. You stand in front of the mirror, unshaven, smelly, gut hanging out, and believe you've "still got it."

Guys, you need to learn 4 things:

You don't age all that well either
If you don't want to be cheated on, don't try to justify you or someone else doing it.
If it was all about looks or opportunity, we can easily cheat you. Men too often think with the wrong head.
It's true. Most women fake it.

Apparently it happens all of the time. I know this from personal experience as the mom of two sons - 6 months and 4 years. My husband moved out four months ago, approximately one year after beginning a relationship with someone he now considers his "soulmate". I'm living this experience and many of the posts have it right -- it's about selfishness and narcissism. IT doesn't matter if you are Tiger Woods or my husband.

Many of the comments I read here typify the female lack of understanding about male sexuality. The male sex drive is many times more powerful than the female's. Almost any guy in Tiger's position of untold wealth and exposed to near constant sexual opportunity, as Tiger is, will act on it. It's that simple.

I get so sick and tired of hearing about keeping men happy and their needs and what may happen if a man isn't happy and their needs met. While happiness and a person's needs being met are important to a healthy relationship, where is the focus on keeping a woman happy and catering to her needs? Does anyone even know that a woman has needs too?

Keeping a man happy or meeting his needs is no real guarantee that he won't cheat either. The real truth is most men like variety and are never satisfied. Most know this so why get married in the first place?

I love how everyone is making this out to be a thing about guys not getting enough attention or not helping out enough with diapers, etc...Tiger is simply a cad..and it's becoming increasingly clear that the golf media has been covering for him for years in order to maintain access to him...he is a dirtaball...I agree with Jesper, I simply feel sorry for Elin, and I agree that Tiger's mom probably helped cover for him, as did "Stevie" Williams, that thug Caddie...I hope Elin dumps him and taks a boatload of money...but aside from money, at least it will tarnish the "Tiger as Messiah" image Earl started with his 1996 SI interview.

I am an African who strongly believe in polgamy. Christianity has put us in all the problems we got in marriages. My ancestors were happy and did not have a wandering eye. They got the mate they wanted. Cheating was unheard of. Do not all single women deserve sex and companionship as a basic need. Look at nature there is always a male in pack of females. We are animals lest we forget. We need to stop being hypocrites to the core.

Drew, I couldn't agree with you more. "What is a man supposed to do if his wife denies him sex and/or any affection for years? yet kids are involved. Are men supposed to just suffer? This may not be the case but just an example of why men cheat." -Drew

wah wah boo hoo just another talented athlete who needs constant adoration .elin should clean his clock and go find a decent guy.who knows what kind of fleas an ally cat drags in.

For all of you women out there writing about how Elin is home doing all of the cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, etc., GET REAL !! She's busy making daily visits to the health club and spa (inside their own home with personal trainers I'm sure) while the nannies and house cleaners take care of the mundane tasks you women are whining about. In our home, the women tend to be the slobs, and the men have to continually clean up for them ... so give me a break!

And one final point for the VERY BITTER women out there ... the statistics clearly indicate that the percentage of women cheating is nearly as high as men. So get over yourselves!

Women-you SHARE EQUALLY in this MESS-oh yes you do....

It was a predatory female who opened her legs to a married man, indeed she did. Predatory yes, she could hardly wait to cash in on the deal. And its not over.

Tiger-not a fan I think he is spoiled, rich, once smart, now pampered and stupid.

As a father i am disgusted and sad for him that he did not feel for his family, his kids will never see him honorably as they should as teenagers-that is the true trajedy.

But I am also as a non cheating male, married, love my kids, work until I am tired with my impressive wife to run our own business and care for family as partners.

A man can't cheat unless there is a woman who has her door open-so don't blame men-you as women have the final answer on this morality and you let yourselves down as a gender ALL THE DANG TIME.

I don't want to stand in judgment in this case, but I found it very interesting that Tiger's main sponsors quickly indicated their support. There are reports that he made over $90 million in endorsements last year. I for one will be very surprised if he ever gets another car endorsement deal.

To Barbara H: NOTHING justifies or warrants cheating (man or woman). Re-read DB's first paragraph. Just because a man or woman is displeased, it does not warrant cheating.

Thank you for being predictable and adding to the list of responses with trite sterotypes of men. "Gut and love handles, bald spots, having to pickup dirty underwear, remote control, etc." I'm 42, 6'1", 175 lbs. I admit I've been bald since collage (just too much manly testosterone I guess). I don't wear underwear, so none thrown about. And I don't even have cable tv (about the only tv I watch is PBS news).

As for faking it (ie, lying to your man), try being honest to the one you "love" and things might improve. Isn't that what a woman would say?

Men & women both cheat for the same reason - attention. Those who don't put the marriage first risk destroying it. Athletes & other celebrities have a higher expectation for attention. Used to being a god in public, many of them cannot settle for being merely a much-loved mortal at home. Too bad they cannot realize that they are not "real" to the groupies, and it is truly empty sex.

Why do women complain about how men are when we are the ones that raise them?
So many mothers pamper their boys and do everything for them and are harder are their daughters. Then these boys grow up and think their wives should do everything for them and when they can't because life or self esteem gets in the way they go try and find another woman who can feel this fantasy. Mothers need to start to be more realistic with their boys and help them become men.

All I can say is the public has no right to judge Tiger. It is between Tiger and his wife. The public does not know all the facts here and may never know. The bible says "Let he who is without SIN cast the first stone." The very people judging this family is also being judged. My prayers go out to Tiger and his beautiful family.