I would try to not look into things too much: she probably has had something on the side but I would rather not find out about it. But if it did happen, if she were my girlfriend I would expect an apology as opposed to "there is nothing wrong with it." Even if there is nothing wrong with it, if the person find out, it will hurt, so they deserve an apology. But that doesn't mean that there is something wrong with it, especially if the other person finds out. If I were caught cheating of course I would apologize...but I would hope the girl wouldn't make a bigger deal out of it than necessary. And most importantly, I wouldn't get caught.
If I were cheated on than I would try to be accepting of it...I can be the jealous type, but that's because I come from a culture where people are extremely possessive in relationships...I think that's equally ****** up. I would most certainly forgive her, especially if the guy was very attractive. But if she wasn't careful and didn't seem like she made a lot of effort to keep me from finding out about it? That would be ****** up and I might dump her. It would show that she didn't care about me. Now if it was my wife? Well, if I do get married, it will almost certainly be an open marriage. I don't think I would have a strong desire to cheat, but I do know that it would be much better for our marriage if I let the woman cheat. Women have a strong *** drive and if they are stuck to one man forever they will go crazy and (knowingly or unknowingly) take out their sexual frustrations on their partner. After a certain point in my marriage I definitely will allow my wife to cheat.
Let's be realistic here guys, most people nowadays realize that monogamy in today's society is **** near impossible and probably unhealthy. No need to be righteous about it.
Really disagree with this bit. First of all, it's not your place to judge his relationship, and second, most college kids in the US (the OP said they're in college) are not ready to get married. They realize that those relationships won't end in marriage. But that doesn't mean staying in them is stringing the partner along. If his girlfriend keeps talking about marriage and he definitely doesn't want to do it but sort of acts like he might, than that would be stringing her along. But I doubt that's the case.
Sure it might be a crush, but on the other hand you don't want the list of girls you could have been with to add up while you're with someone. At this age you're supposed to go out and get laid as much as possible. You're only young once and you have the rest of your life for monogamy. I can't believe it's even a discussion. I'd say go for it.
But yeah, I do agree that this is a FM forum and not to pay too much attention to any of the advice we give. I do think I'm right about this and that our culture has a ****** up, possessive view of relationships, and that cheating is demonized way too much. Just don't get caught. I'm 24 and I'm trying to live it up as much as I can right now because I'm only young once, I'm going to wake up tomorrow and be 50 and stuck in a marriage so I think being monogamous at this age is not the best idea. But what do I know, I'm talkin out my ***.