Are We Being Brainwashed into a Cheating Culture? How Pop Culture Is Tricking Women Into Settling for Less

Last Updated on March 18, 2025

Let’s be real—infidelity isn’t just “normalized” anymore; it’s being marketed to us like the next big fashion trend. Cheating culture has taken over, turning scandals that used to be career-ending disasters into entertainment. They’re meme-worthy. They’re brushed off as “just part of relationships.” And worst of all? Women are being gaslit into thinking that expecting loyalty is outdated, childish, or—God forbid—insecure.

So, let’s talk about it: Is pop culture making us numb to betrayal in the context of cheating culture? Are we being tricked into tolerating a method of cheating that should be a dealbreaker in this cheating culture? And if so—who’s benefiting from this rise of cheating culture? It seems like the method of cheating is becoming an acceptable norm within cheating culture, raising questions about our values and expectations in relationships affected by cheating culture.

When Did Cheating Become… Hot?

Once upon a time, if a celeb got caught cheating, their career tanked. Think back to Tiger Woods—he lost endorsements, his reputation crumbled, and the world watched him spiral. But fast forward to today, and what do we have? Infidelity is often brushed off, and some even argue that emotional betrayal can be just as damaging—a form of cheating that doesn’t always get the same backlash.

• Tristan Thompson cheated on Khloé Kardashian multiple times. , he got a redemption arc on The Kardashians—a reality show that turned his serial cheating into content.
• Adam Levine’s alleged affair? The internet laughed. The texts became memes. His wife didn’t even leave him.
• Jay-Z cheated on Beyoncé, and instead of leaving, she made Lemonade—a cultural reset, sure, but also a masterclass in monetizing betrayal.

Are we seeing the pattern here? Cheating scandals no longer destroy careers—they generate engagement, money, and more power. And the more we watch, stream, and joke about them, the more we’re programmed to see infidelity as just another part of love, reinforcing the cheating culture around us.

Music Is Straight-Up Telling Us to Accept Side Chicks

Ladies, let’s talk about how much cheating has been glamorized in music. There was a time when songs about infidelity were tragic, but now the culture of cheating has turned them into anthems. Let’s break it down:

🎶 SZA’s “The Weekend” is a literal song about sharing a man because she gets him on the weekend, and the other woman gets him during the week. No shame, no guilt—just vibes.

🎶 Shakira’s “BZRP Music Sessions #53” – Instead of crying over Piqué’s affair, she made a diss track. I love. that for her, but notice how cheating scandals are now about revenge and empowerment rather than actual heartbreak?

🎶 Megan Thee Stallion’s “Plan B” – About moving on from a cheater, sure, but notice how the cheating itself is treated as inevitable., Like, of course, men cheat. That’s just what they do.

And this isn’t just music—it’s TikTok trends, it’s Euphoria, it’s Sex/Life, it’s a very hot drama-filled show that portrays infidelity as spicy, inevitable, or even necessary to keep relationships interesting.

At what point did basic respect in relationships become an old-school fantasy?

Social Media is Gaslighting Women Into Tolerating Less

Here’s where it gets sinister: social media is actively reshaping what we accept in relationships.

• “Monogamy is so outdated!”
• “If he cheats but loves you, does it even count?”
• “Every high-value man cheats, just learn how to play the game.”

Let’s be real—how many times have you seen TikToks that justify men cheating but twist it in a way that makes women feel crazy for expecting better? Not to mention the fact that every time a cheating scandal breaks, the internet makes excuses for the man. It’s always:

• “Well, she was probably boring.”
• “Men aren’t naturally monogamous!”
• “If Beyoncé can get cheated on, what hope do we have?” This all reflects the troubling attitudes toward cheating, giving gaslighting on a global scale.

Who’s Winning Here?

Because let’s be clear: SOMEONE is profiting off this narrative in popular culture.

✔️ Men who want to have their cake and eat it too. If infidelity is just “part of relationships,” they don’t have to face consequences.

✔️ Celebrities and influencers. Every cheating scandal turns into millions of views, headlines, and brand deals.

✔️ Music and media execs. Drama sells. Loyalty doesn’t.

✔️ The dating app industry. If relationships keep failing, people stay on the apps. Simple.

Meanwhile, who loses? Women. Women who want respect. Women who want stability. Women who want men to act right and not treat loyalty like some kind of childish fairytale, especially in a world influenced by popular culture.

So, Are We Going to Let Them Gaslight Us?

So, let’s talk about it: Ladies, wake up. We are being played. Pop culture wants us to be okay with infidelity because it benefits the people pushing these narratives in American society and the cheating culture. But at the end of the day, you get to decide what’s acceptable in your relationships.

Expecting monogamy in relationships, a key aspect of American culture is not “old-school.” Setting boundaries is not “controlling.” Not tolerating disloyalty is not “immature.”

The next time you hear a song, see a TikTok, or watch a show trying to convince you that cheating is just part of modern love, ask yourself: Do I believe in cheating culture? Or am I just being conditioned to accept less? This belief in cheating culture can distort our values and lead to acceptance of actual cheating behavior we might otherwise reject. If we don’t start pushing back against this belief in actual cheating behavior and the actual cheating culture it perpetuates, who will?

What do you think? Are we being tricked into tolerating infidelity and the cheating culture in American society? Sound off in the comments!