Giving and Taking

"Hey, its anon, whaddup. How does Kyle feel about cheating? Whether its infidelity or in school, is it normal to cheat sometimes?" -Anon

Cheating. A broad subject, like Anon described. You have your "boom-boom buddy" sort of cheating and your "what do any of these Spanish words mean?" sort of cheating. Of course, there are other sorts of cheating, but since this blog is meant for teenagers, we'll focus on the two most common types among them.

Necking it

Being predictable as I am, I'll start off with the first type listed; that being the "pimpin' it" type. First thing's first: both males and females are capable of cheating on their significant (though, if they're cheating, that term is to be used loosely) other(s). That's right; it's not just the scum bag men who go around and play genital peek-a-boo. Women can set the ol' minnow trap too. True, there may be some statistical difference in the numbers, but that's not the point. Both sexes of our species can engage in extra-relationshipal (is that even a word?) affairs. Of course, women are more likely to commit to emotional affairs, but that's harder to write jokes about.

I'm sure we've all read Facebook statuses or tweets about "Mi man b cheetin on mi wit sum ho. W/e byy boo." Or "Mane, i saw mi gurl cheatin on me wit sum other guy. He gonna git his ass beet." Of course, those sound like extremely ridiculous examples, but the point stands that there are people who just throw their junk all around, both male and female.

"Get to the point, Kyle." Fine, but no more comedy gold for you.

Is all of this unfaithfulness and infidelity morally wrong? It's generally agreed that it is.

"Of course!" You shout at me, through your monitor. "Why wouldn't it be? Stop being such an idiot, Kyle."

But is it biologically wrong, or even irregular? Well, it can be argued that it isn't, especially for males. Among the other mammalian species on this planet, many males attempt to spread their genes as far and wide as they can. Survival of the fittest, right?

"Stop trying to give an excuse for what stupid men do!" The feminist in you will rage. Well, feminist, I have something for you: I'M NOT. Just because humans are -- to an extent -- biologically driven animals lusting for only the most basic of needs, we are far more intelligent than other species; even if that point can be argued based on the few people each of us know. Not just do we have a higher intelligence, but we have the marvelous gift of sentience; where we are self aware and acknowledge that other people have thoughts and feelings of their own.

What's all this mean? That biological urges are no excuse for any sort of infidelity that could happen. As higher organisms, we must acknowledge that we have the capabilities to control our bodies and manipulate them in such ways as to avoid insulting and muddying the mutually agreed upon, give-take interactions that you originally formed with one other organism. In lay man's terms: don't ruin your relationship by going all James Bond of every women you see, males. And females, don't blindly follow your hearts because "it just feels like it was meant to be." You wanna know the results of either scenario? I'll give you a hint, the twist at the end isn't like the ones in romantic comedies.

Paper Peeking

Now we're at the more ambiguous part of the post: cheating in school. Is it really bad to cheat in school. Is failing a course, but being able to say "hey, at least I didn't cheat" really worth whatever amount of pride one might derive from the statement? Or is it better to cut corners and maybe take a peek at that page you ripped out of the book (yea, I've heard of that happening), pass the class, and not look like a failure and disappointment to whoever might be glaring at you judgmentally, just waiting for you to slip up.

The ever-chivalrous knight in me doth declare "Thine honor is thou life! Thous musn't ever forfeit it!" Of course, there's also the more "rouge-ish" character who abides by "Hey, if you can get away with it and everyone is happy, how could it be so bad?" And both of them are right.

As far as I see it, there's only one stipulation: if you, through your own effort, could pass the tests and class without cheating. If you're cheating just out of sheer laziness, then I personally will pity your pathetic mortal frame, akin to how Sauron gazed upon Frodo. If there was no way in all of Hell for you to pass that class without glancing at those words inked on your hand, then maybe my unforgiving eye will look the other way. That's just how I roll.

Of course, the factor of sentience can be brought in. If we know we're doing something that we consider wrong, should we still do it?

With this sort of school system, what's it matter anyway? I mean, you really only have to do decently well, then pass the final at the end of the class. Don't even get me started on if it's a standardized test. Then again, you probably shouldn't cheat on those...

The fact of the matter is, it's normal to cheat. The temptation is too strong sometimes, and glancing over at the really-smart-kid's paper for the answer to number five is the easiest and smartest way out. Like many matters, this one's a real gray (or grey) area for me. Sure, I've cheated in school before. Always in Spanish, but I've still cheated before. Does that mean I always cheat? No. Most of the time, I do pretty well, and when I need a little boost, I'll open up the book or grab a buddy with which to study.

At the end of it all, it's really up to you to decide. Decide to follow my opinions, that is!

I kid. Be sentient, dammit!