Infidelity all too common, counselors say

TAMPA - Allegations of affairs have many people disappointed in Tiger Woods, But infidelity is, unfortunately, a reality for more than half of all marriages in the Bay Area.

Counselor Chip Weiner believes at least 50 to 60 percent of couples in the Tampa Bay area are dealing with some sort of infidelity. Those can be one-on-one affairs, or elicit text messages, or even pornography on the internet.

Chip said in order to start fixing a relationship, you need to take a close look at the marriage and the role, in Tiger's case, of his celebrity status.

"Having the celebrity that Tiger does, there's a sense of entitlement sometimes that goes with it. There's so much temptation all the time, and I'm not cutting him slack. But nonetheless, that's going to be the difficulty in both getting over it." he said.

Three women so far have come forward alleging affairs with Tiger.

Chip says most marriages can be saved, if both the husband and wife want to.

"The people in the marriage have to take responsibility for what they did. Not blaming outside sources. Let's face it, we're all faced with temptations everyday for something," he said.

Tiger's marriage no doubt has suffered, but his career probably won't, in the long run. Kendall Americo, a Tampa-based sports attorney, said sponsors won't run from Tiger.

"If Tiger Woods did something bad enough, that would make people stop spending money, then you will see sponsors cancel contracts. But I don't think this is going to make people stop buying Nike shoes or not buy Gatorade. In fact, it'll bring more attention to their brands.," Almerico said.

And more than likely, people will eventually forgive him too.

"The affairs will certainly tarnish his image, because it is so squeaky clean. However, if he does what every good celebrity does by coming forward and apologizing to his fans and his wife, everything will probably turn out ok."