Why you should stop dating a married man

Perhaps the best advice you can give someone about having a relationship with a married man is telling her not to even start. However, that may not be practical for all women. The love of your life just might be a married man. Being part of any couple can be challenging and unpredictable, as we all know.

Despite conflicting views on the matter, marriage remains a traditional institution that inspires a different level of commitment, consideration and respect than dating does. So, in order to stay on the right side of that fine line between friendship and flirtation, abide by these rules of thumb when it comes to your married bros:. It's a major red flag if your new friend, say the one you met at the office, has not bothered to mention your existence to his better half. Men who have nothing to hide should be open about their friendships with other women and ensure their wifeys are comfortable with the relationship. If he brushes it off completely, it may be a sign he had more than a friendship in mind. Without even realizing it, you may jokingly touch each other or get a bit too close.

While cheating -- and those who cheat on their romantic partners -- is often sensationalized in the media, author Ann Smith, writing for Psychology Today, highlights that cheating has a devastating impact on affected spouses. Dating a married man is also unfair to you because you run the risk of becoming emotionally vulnerable with a man who is unable to commit to you. Knowing the signs of whether or not you're dating a married man can help protect your heart and sanity. A married man does not want you showing up at his home, says Mark Perry, writing for HealthGuidance.

Last Updated: September 2, References Approved. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.