Is Life Drawing Cheating?, Is participating in a life drawing class cheating? Options

[GirlInAus]

So I have a problem, I've been with my boyfriend for nearly a year now and though we love eachother very much we can never agree on a thing and we have such different morals.

I am studying Photography and as a part of my course I have to undertake a life drawing class. Now surprise surprise, my boyfriend's not too happy.. infact it's worse then that.. he's not happy at all. He considers the fact that I've seen someone else naked is cheating. However I don't agree in the circumstances.. it is an appreciation for the human body of course and it's in a class of like 40 people and there's no feeling's involved whatsoever.. so I'm having a hard time trying to make him see things the way I do.

So what do you think.. Is participating in a life drawing class cheating?

[*Steven*]

Hell no. No emotional attachment. No physical attachment. No emotional interaction. No physical interaction other than looking. Not cheating.

[GirlInAus]

Hell no. No emotional attachment. No physical attachment. No emotional interaction. No physical interaction other than looking. Not cheating.

Yeah that's how I feel but what can I do? I mean it's his views that I fully respect but I don't understand :S

[*Steven*]

Ask him to explain why it's cheating.

[arghrawr]

No of course not. If you accidentily walked in on someone while they were naked, would he consider that cheating too?

[GirlInAus]

Ask him to explain why it's cheating.

Well his explanation is that he believes the fact that I've seen someone else naked means that I've been unfaithful. He believes that the fact that everyone taking those classes is being unfaitful?
And why? Because he's a traditionalist and he believes that the body is sacred and beautiful and that you should reserve your eyes for only one person.. as with everything else which is fair enough.

[GirlInAus]

No of course not. If you accidentily walked in on someone while they were naked, would he consider that cheating too?

No but it's the fact that I did it intentionally. Not behind his back mind you.. he knew it was coming.. but he thinks that I had a choice and I didn't have to take the class.

[stormbringer]

maybe you should tell him lighten up or dump him..

[*Steven*]

Well is that class worth jeopardizing your relationship? Do you have to take that class?

[arghrawr]

You have to get him to look at it as just another class and try to get him to relax. Has he given you an ultimatum or something?

[GirlInAus]

maybe you should tell him lighten up or dump him..

Oh no I couldn't do that I love him to death.

[GirlInAus]

Well is that class worth jeopardizing your relationship? Do you have to take that class?

Yes it's a requirement to pass my course.
Well I'm sure he'll get over it.. I'm just curious as to other people's thoughts on the topic.

[GirlInAus]

You have to get him to look at it as just another class and try to get him to relax. Has he given you an ultimatum or something?

Ultimatum? Sorry I'm not sure what that is.

[*Steven*]

Ultimatum = Do "this" or else

i.e.

Drop out of that class or I'll break up with you.

Also, try to respond to all points in one post. You can hit the + sign by quote on each one then hit Add Reply and itll put all quotes in one thing for you.

[GirlInAus]

Ultimatum = Do "this" or else

i.e.

Drop out of that class or I'll break up with you.

Also, try to respond to all points in one post. You can hit the + sign by quote on each one then hit Add Reply and itll put all quotes in one thing for you.

You mean like this? Sorry I'm new so I'm not sure.

As for the Ultimatum, no he hasn't done that.. hes just really upset.

[stormbringer]

i wouldnt really know since i've never been in love or in a relationship..yeah........umm right.

[lostgrl16]

i wouldn't consider that cheating. it's for a class, with many people sitting right next to you. i understand his point of view but since its a requirement for your major (i guess?) then why can he not understand that?

[arghrawr]

Good thing is he hasn't made you choose yet. You just need to calm him down a bit. What have you said to try and reason with him? And what has he said in response?

[GirlInAus]

Good thing is he hasn't made you choose yet. You just need to calm him down a bit. What have you said to try and reason with him? And what has he said in response?

I don't think he would ever choose really. But it's just frustrating because our morals don't exactly fit..they're getting there but not fully there yet.

I've tried to tell him how I feel and that.. like how it's just a class and I tried not to look and the drawings are just simple, not detailed pieces and that but he still is hurt by it. He hasn't really said much.. but that's just it.. he hasn't really said much. I mean he did say that I had a choice and I didn't have to do it (which I did) but then he meantioned that I didn't ask to get out of it (true, but I'm an artsy person and I do enjoy this sort of thing really.. I don't know if I want to be excluded), he basically just meantions that he wouldn't have done the same thing to me.

[*Steven*]

Wait so is the class done with? Are you taking it this upcoming semester or what?

[GirlInAus]

Wait so is the class done with? Are you taking it this upcoming semester or what?

Yes the class is done with. However that's non the end of it.. the classes go for 6 weeks and so far I've only done two of them.. so it's an ongoing issue.

[arghrawr]

He can't support you as you pursue your interests?
There is only one thing left to do now.
Knock him out, pray he gets a concussion, and forgets all about this.

[GirlInAus]

Hahah.. couldn't do that if I wanted to :)

[arghrawr]

I suppose you could try talking, but using a different tactic like making him feel guilty, but usually I'm a straight shooter.
Or you could drop the class to make him happy, though I don't see why you should give up something you love just because your boyfriend is a bit irked about your decision.

[*Steven*]

I wouldn't try a guilt trip. I can't stand those, they only get me irritated.

[lostgrl16]

isnt he kinda also being selfish cause he wont support you in your interests?

[*Steven*]

He's not going to view it as selfish if it's a morality issue.

[lostgrl16]

he is seemingly refusing to view it in any other way than his own. but then its how he was raised so that cant really be held against him either..

[EmoEyelinerx]

So he cant support your intrests?

Why dont you just try reasoning with him. Ask him why he cant support your intrests. Tell him it would mean the world to you. If he doesent give in and acknowlage that your taking that class no matter what, just give him time to think things through, and no, I dont think its cheating.

[towntown2]

Absolutely not!
You're merely observing the human body which happens to be nude.
What's the problem in that? You're doing it for the sake of art.
As long as you're not sleeping or doing something similar with the model, then your boyfriend is just overreacting.
No offense, but he's being really stupid about it.
I'd bitch-slap him silly.

Go talk to him and tell him that he's blowing the whole thing way out of proportion.

[dustbunny]

relationships are all about sacrifice.. you're either gonna have to sacrifice your class or he's gonna have to sacrifice his "traditionalist" views

[minioligo]

Is it really a morality issue? Or does it really have to deal with his insecurities? That's the first thing I thought of when I read your posts.

Of course taking a life drawing class is not cheating. Like Steven said, no emotional attachment, no physical attachment, etc. Though, I guess I can see why your boyfriend may be uncomfortable with it. Keep reassuring him that you are in that class because of your interest in art, and nothing else. Honestly, I think he's just being extremely stubborn. :T Perhaps you have to show him proof that it's only in your interests? Like, showing him an art piece that you did, showing it's importance. I dunno. Just some way to prove that this is not something you "did" to him, but just a form of art that you happen to take a course on.

[AngelinaTaylor]

Your boyfriend's an idiot.

[*Mercy*]

Tell him to stop being a pussy and let you follow your dreams.If he cant handle it you need to find someone who is capable and mature enough to see it as art and not as a way to get turned on.