Cheating. A simple eight letter word that tends to have a not-so-simple meaning to society--which is odd because it should, right?

Cheating is usually defined as unfaithfulness to one's partner, yet society keeps altering the definition of what "cheating" really is when the meaning of it is plain and simple. It's safe to say everyone knows at least one person who has been cheated on or has personally been cheated on in their life. If you take into consideration how many people you know and assume each person can also account for the same situation then the numbers start to add up.

So the real question isn't: "what is cheating?" but rather "why is cheating so common?", and the answer is also very simple: the media.

We might not notice it at first glance, but the media is the catalyst of the illusion that cheating is "normal" in society. Whether it be our favorite shows, artists, or even popular magazine titles featured on our favorite social media platform (hint hint), the normalization of cheating within media is a regular occurrence.

Let's take into consideration the most notorious influence of social media: "Cosmopolitan". The magazine's articles are now featured on Snapchat making it easy to be subjected to their content (trash). One article recently published is titled 12 Scandalous and Steamy Study-Abroad Cheating Confessions which glorifies the act of cheating using the falsifications of "excitement" and pushes the agenda of having no consequences when being unfaithful. Another gem is titled "14 Confessions From Women Who Cheated and Don't Regret It", which glorifies being unfaithful even further by romanticizing the act in which one woman states how cheating on her long distance boyfriend saved her relationship and "made her realize how much she loves him". GAG. Let's cut the bullshit--there is absolutely NO justification for cheating whatsoever. However, when we are exposed to articles similar to the ones "Cosmo" publishes, we end up convinces ourselves that cheating isokay and end up normalizing the act itself.

It doesn't stop there though. "Cosmopolitan" isn't the only influence of justifying cheating. The illusion is found in almost all media nowadays. That new rap song by that idolized artist? Yup, guaranteed you'll find lyrics glorifying cheating which is a "low life" mindset to have, just ask The Weeknd. Or maybe try to consider the ethics of cheating when you're watching your favorite FAMILY show with the GUYs which view cheating as a major score, but only if you're a real dog.

The bottom line is cheating is never okay and can NEVER be justified. It is through media that the act of cheating is normalized but the reality is there is absolutely nothing truly normal about cheating. It is a selfish, heartbreaking act that hurts others and only results in grief. There is nothing normal about willingly betraying someone's trust, There is nothing normal about glorifying the abuse of someone's love, and there is NOTHING normal about the act of cheating.