Sowetan

My mom won’t divorce my cheating father

Dad dismissed for bonking students

- ■ Tshenkeng is a clinical psychologi­st, e-mail her on: tumi.tshenkeng@gmail.com Mahlobo is a seduction expert, e-mail her on: mandisamah­lobo@gmail.com

My father, who is a lecturer, was recently fired for sleeping with one of his students in exchange for marks.

This has brought shame on our family, and I think my mother must divorce him, but it seems as if she is willing to forgive him. I am so mad at her for standing by him although he cheated on her.

Boitumelo Replies:

It’s a huge disappoint­ment, and it is understand­able you’re this angry. It must be a hard time for your mother as well. Your judgement and high expectatio­ns at this moment might be too much for her to deal with.

Let her go through her own process, to make up her own mind and to make her own decision. She knows that you don’t support the idea of her continuing with this relationsh­ip, so you don’t have to always tell her about it. All you can do is to support her.

Help her to have confidence to stand up for what is right for her rather than also throwing punches at her. Also remember that it’s very difficult for many women to overcome deeply entrenched socialised ideologies of tradition and religion about marriages, which often keeps most women in unhealthy relationsh­ips or marriages.

MOM Replies:

When did you become your mother’s boss? Let’s be realistic, she’s choosing to stand by her man. You think your mother must divorce him, that’s anger speaking. Put yourself in your mother’s shoes.

Now think about how many grown women have divorced their cheating husbands? Very few! It’s unfair to be mad at your mother. Be mad at your father for cheating. Be mad at yourself for not supporting your mother’s decision.

 ?? Relationsh­ip Roundtable ?? Boitumelo Tshenkeng & Mandisa O Mahlobo
Relationsh­ip Roundtable Boitumelo Tshenkeng & Mandisa O Mahlobo
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