The thing nobody wants has happened hypothetically. Your SO has cheated on you! Before you decide whether or not you're going to give him/her another chance or not, so many things weigh in on that scale.

Specifically, does it have a greater impact on you if the relationship is going well? Are you more/less likely to forgive if it happens during a good/bad stretch?

I, like most people, feel infidelity is immediate end of the relationship. It's not always that simple for everybody. People who have kids may be more forgiving for the overall good of their household. Others might be ugly and not want to spend the next 4 years playing with themselves waiting for another opportunity. Some may enjoy their lifestyle with their partner and not want to lose it. Everybody talks hard on this issue, but not everybody follows through when the chips are down.

There are good years, and there are bad ones in most relationships. Personally, i feel as if it would be even worse if a partner cheated during a time in a marriage when i thought things were going well. Right after/before a trip together, anniversary, etc...

Others have expressed to me that it's the down times when they need monogamy the most. What are your thoughts?