Definition of Fidelity
If you are trying to get someone to hire you for a job, close a business deal or start a strong relationship, fidelity is a key quality that you must possess. When a lack of trust exists in any type of relationship, the bond between the two parties is weakened, creating a high likelihood that the connection will be lost completely if trust issues are not addressed and resolved.
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Identification
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The definition of fidelity is trust and honesty. Many human beings expect fidelity from the people in their lives, from teachers, to children, to significant others, to business associates. The expectation of fidelity within a relationship is an unwritten rule that many take very seriously. It is similar to a contract. When a contract of trust is breached, the relationship can fall apart.
Fidelity in Marriage
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One of the most common human relationships involving fidelity issues is married people (or unmarried lovers). While approximately 75 percent of men and 85 percent of women claim to be faithful (see References below), the issue of cheating is a major cause of divorce and marital problems. In a romantic relationship, having sexual and emotional relations outside of the marriage is considered to be a major breach of the fidelity contract.
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Business Fidelity
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Fidelity also takes center stage within business relationships. This could be two business partners, a client and a contractor, a corporation and stockholder, or two different companies that work with each other to make deals. Because money is at stake, the need for fidelity in business transactions is magnified. When the parties don't trust each other, deals may fall through, alliances are broken, people lose money, and in extreme cases, companies can go out of business.
Fidelity and Faith
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Many people closely associate fidelity with faith (a belief in a higher power). In many faiths, fidelity is one of the most important attributes that a person must have. In fact, in some cases, faith is considered to be equivalent to fidelity. Infidelity is considered to be a serious sin.
Problems Caused by Lack of Fidelity
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The absence of fidelity in any type of relationship can lead to a number of personal and social problems. For one, when infidelity causes a divorce, the children may be negatively affected by the split. Issues involving fidelity can also lead to jealousy, fear and anger in both parties. This could in turn lead to destructive patterns, such as domestic violence, mental illness due to insecurity and paranoia within a relationship, and expensive lawsuits.
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