Unfaithfulness may be the only deal-breaker for you, but for many women - especially those being verbally and physically abused by their (perhaps sexually faithful) husbands - there are worse things than infidelity. When relationships become physically abusive, psychologically traumatic, or mentally and emotionally "toxic," it is time to part ways and file the paperwork. If you want to try treatment for substance abuse or anger issues, or go to marriage counseling, by all means give it a shot. But you should never feel obligated to remain in a dangerous, volatile, untenable situation. You should never feel trapped or like you don't have any other options. And one of the worst things you can do is pretend that things are fine, "for the sake of the children." Children do not want parents who hate each other, who shout and scream and fight. They do not want to wake up everyday into a home life that is characterized by a perpetual, all-pervasive psychological tension, brimming just below the surface, waiting to snap or erupt. We all need peace, safety, and stability. The status quo does not necessarily give us that.