You were introduced to Cynthia earlier in the module. Take a few minutes to read her story again and explore the problems and concerns that she is experiencing in her life. Her marriage is not in a good place, and she is thinking by now that neither is she. She and her husband no longer have a close relationship, and they struggle financially to make ends meet. Rather than talk to her about his frustrations and their problems, he has chosen to betray her. He is sharing his intimacy, and possibly his deepest feelings, with another woman.
Cynthia feels that she is living a lie. Her husband has the best of both worlds. To his colleagues and peers, he has an “adoring wife” and two small children—a picture perfect family. And he has a mistress—someone with whom he can play and fantasize without the worry of responsibility to the relationship. At least, that is the way it seems from Cynthia’s perspective. She is hurt and humiliated and doesn’t want to be married to Carl anymore. Whatever they had together has disappeared, and she is feeling alone—as though she were already a single parent.
Use the discussion area to complete the activity regarding Cynthia and the problems in her marriage:
• How would you categorize the problem or problems that Cynthia is facing?
• Define the barriers you see that might cause Cynthia to hesitate to seek help as well as the strengths and supports that could help her.
• Describe three steps that Cynthia could take as she begins to seek resolutions to her problem(s).
