From Sheri & Bob Stritof,
Your Guide to Marriage.
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There are differing views on how to protect your marriage from being hurt by an emotional affair.

A marriage is best protected from an emotional affair by working together to have a marriage built on a strong foundation of friendship and trust.

Deciding to Limit Relationships - No!

We disagree with the often made suggestion to limit your interpersonal relationships.

M. Gary Neuman in his book, Emotional Infidelity: How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage and 10 Other Secrets to a Great Relationship,(Buy Direct) makes the controversial statement:

"Insulate and protect your marriage against emotional infidelity by avoiding friendships with members of the opposite sex."

He believes that limiting your relationships is "the single most important thing you can do for your marriage."

One of the reasons we question the suggestion to limit relationships is because it creates couples living in isolation. Isolating a spouse from friendships is one of the warning signs of emotional abuse.

Another reason we disagree with Neuman's limits on interpersonal interaction is the idea that a spouse has exclusive, 100 percent rights over a mate's friendships, interests, and sense of space and privacy.

Neuman's other suggestions for protecting your marriage from an emotional affair are more acceptable and include:

• Touching each other five times a day.

• Have a weekly date.

• Have a long discussion with one another four times a week.

• Plan an all-out romantic lovemaking night once a month.