Desensitized

There is a paradigm that if a man hits a woman once, he'll do it again. The 'horror of it all' wears off as soon as he pulls his hand away from the contact. My question is; does this same sort of thing apply to other areas? If a man cheats on you, is he more likely to do it again? If a man disrespects you once, will he be more likely to do it again? Will he go from sneaking around to blatant offenses, from mumbling under his breath to cussing you out? If a man gets away with pushing the boundaries of 'relationship' will be continue to do so. From drinks with coworkers to over night trips to late night phone calls, to not being available when he's with them. Is it just that the novelty has worn off of these taboo things or has it become sport to see how far you can go without missing (getting caught, having her leave, being in trouble)? Even being in trouble, like with children, loses its power if the 'trouble' is empty and respect has left the building. As women we seem to have in us the whole 'turn the other cheek' mentality as an innate trait, a DNA code, a relationship retardation. Where is the line drawn in the sand that separates foolish from forgiveness? I have no answers. Only more questions. The only truth I know is that we, as women have to stop being concerned with what we may be losing and think about what we are gaining. Self respect. Self esteem. Space for the right thing. Peace. Hope. Self Love.

There is always a ram in the bush!