The other day, I watched my girlfriend's daughter approach her mother after watching the news and ask "Mommy-what is a Schwarzenegger? It is an animal? My friend said it's a cheetah, but he doesn't look like a cheetah. What kind of cheetah is he?" And her mother laughed and said "Mr. Schwarzenegger is a human being-man-a different kind of animal".
If we look in the dictionary of infidelity, would we find the word " Schwarzenegger" to be a large and powerful animal whose under carriage overrides his hard drive? Has his name become synonymous with a cheat or a curse word-or is he just a human being just like anyone else? Did he abuse his power or was his libido just a bit overcharged?
It is a well-known fact that powerful men-the wealthy, celebrities and politicians alike cheat more frequently than their less powerful or popular counterparts. They feel they can cheat because they can. And those that can...do. Powerful men, such as Schwarzenegger feel entitled to cheat and also overestimate their ability to get away with it. They feel that the rules do not apply to them. Unfortunately, his infidelity with Mildred Baena, and the subsequent birth of his lovechild were biological-reproductive rules he was playing with- and only god can tamper with those.
Entitlement and power can't be all to blame. Men cheat for a multitude of reasons but which apply here to Arnold? It is well known that men powerful and the average joe alike cheat for a multitude of reasons such as heat of the moment, opportunity, break from reality, sexual novelty, self-acceptance or accomplishment, and even companionship. The theory of psychobiology implicates natural and innate instincts as the culprit stating that everything we do is to get sex, and then sometimes, as in this case, more sex (and procreation) then we need. Women are wired to want powerful men-the alpha male and to procreate with them; men are wired to get as many sexual partners as they can. Have you heard of the story of the flower and the bee? Well, it doesn't stop with flowers and bees...we have this same scenario right next to us within the human race. Personality is also implicated as a factor in infidelity stating that powerful men with gregarious and social personality like Arnold's are more likely to cheat compared to introverted and subdued guys. Extroverts love to make contact, in and out of the bedroom, so to speak, and tend to express more desire for multiple partners.
Research has constantly highlighted that the trauma of exposed family infidelity is averred to be one of the most painful and difficult experiences that a couple can endure. Not one family member, adult and children alike go unscathed by the haunting and enduring effects of infidelity,
Children of different ages will be affected differently. For instance, younger children, just like our Chita fan above, will most likely not understand what infidelity is and will not understand what has happened. What they will pick up on and understand is the sadness and anger that their parents are experiencing and consequently blame themselves when mommy and daddy don't feel good or are not happy. Adolescent children will react differently because they typically understand what infidelity is. They tend to identify with one or both parents. Adolescent children, particularly boys, may learn that cheating and dishonesty are acceptable and become cheaters later in life. Adolescent girls who learn that their parents have engaged in cheating may learn that sex and even more sex, such as with cheating, is a good thing and become overly sexual or sexualized. Some children may realize this is wrong and not be susceptible to any bad influence. Although even if these children seem to be handling it well and acting as they normally do, or even shifting into the role of caretaker for a grieving parent (s), counseling should not be overlooked.
Healing and recovery from this type of trauma can take a long time. Within time, once the disillusionment and pain subsides, it will be natural for his four children to be curious about Mildred and biological sibling-who for the record should also have their own set of issues because of this and should have their own counseling. Being a "Schwarzenegger" comes with a lot already as with other families in the media. The Schwarzenegger's are used to things happening around them. Hopefully, this will contribute to their healing and resiliency at this extremely difficult time.