Are relationship second chances ever a good thing?

When you’ve been hurt, betrayed, or disappointed by someone you care about, it’s hard to imagine giving that person another chance.

Yet forgiveness is a value that is fundamental to human relationships. Giving up on people because they’ve let you down, whether it’s your favourite athlete, a political figure, or your best friend, is a tricky one, but what about when it’s your husband or wife or partner who has cheated on you?

Even though we’re taught to forgive and to give someone an opportunity to make up for past wrongs, not everyone is capable of doing so. When you’re dealing with love, it’s easy to let things slide and quickly forgive and forget. But how do you know when you should give your partner a second chance, or when it’s time to officially call it quits?

Successful relationships are built on trust. When trust has been broken is it ever possible to trust that person again? Does a leopard ever change its spots?

What are your views? Has society created a situation where it’s OK for men to make mistakes and women forgive them? If there is no consequence to a betrayal of trust, will this behaviour just continue? Have you ever been in this situation and how did you handle it?