Tales From the Front by Cheryl Lavin

Is there such a thing as sexual addiction? Or is it just a "my dog ate my homework" way to get out of trouble?

Carrie: I think it's real. People have various ways to deal with anxiety, stress and other negative emotions. They can include alcohol, gambling, drugs, food and shopping (my personal favorites). When I was younger, I wanted sex not because of lust, but because I needed to feel desired. It made me feel powerful. Luckily, I didn't confuse lust with love.

Now, on to Tiger. He's a selfish jerk, not a sex addict. Addicts act like addicts. Their acts are unplanned, furtive, done in shame. Tiger planned his rendezvous with his bimbos. He had long-term relationships with some, and he isn't ashamed. He's just sorry. Sorry he got caught!

When I was younger I dated a few pro athletes, and these guys took the "Peter Pan Syndrome" to the extreme. They, like Tiger, grew up with people enabling them to do whatever they wanted with no thought to how their actions affected others.

Danielle: Imagine if Tiger had said: "I don't want to marry. I want to be a selfish bad boy." The typical response would have been: "What's wrong with you? You're immature." If society didn't pressure people to marry, maybe they'd have the courage to say, "I'm a selfish jerk and I love it, and I don't want to be married or have kids because I'd just make everyone miserable."

If he had said that, there'd be no betrayed wife or kids. Society should stop judging people and making them feel that if they're not married with kids, they're less than those who are.

Gayle: Whether or not you have a sexual addiction depends on your income.

But if you're just getting by, you can't escape the consequences of bad behavior by using a euphemism. You have to admit you're just a horny, selfish boor and take what's coming to you.

Dylan: Is it possible Elin did something to cause Tiger's behavior? We don't know what went on in the Woods household. Is Elin truly the victim she's making herself out to be? Or was she emotionally and physically distant? Was the sudden onset of fame and fortune too much for her to handle? Did she cheat first? Did she commit some ultimate sin to push Tiger away and into the arms of an increasing list of lovers? (Half of whom I'm sure have never met Tiger and are only jumping on the bandwagon for fame and attention?)

I can only gauge my opinion on pictures I've seen of her. If I may be so brazen to say so, her facial expressions and general demeanor makes her look insufferable.

Now she has it all — money, fame, everything she never thought she'd get. So who's to say she didn't want to kick hubby to the curb, collect a fat divorce settlement, pin a crimson "A" on his green jacket and ruin his credibility?

Elin may have been the poor, innocent Norwegian caught up in the most scandalous of scandals, or she could be a man-eating uber- feminist who grew up believing men are nothing more than a wallet and a sperm donor.

Just think about it, and don't shrug off my suggestions as "misogynistic ranting."

Have you and your partner repaired your relationship after infidelity? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems t cheryllavin@aol.com. And check out my blog www.talesfromthefront.com. To find out more about Cheryl Lavin, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM