The cultural expectation should be if there's infidelity, the marriage is more important than fidelity.

Dan Savage’s quote challenges traditional notions of fidelity in marriage, proposing that the marriage itself should take precedence over the issue of infidelity. He suggests that the cultural expectation should be focused on the health and stability of the marriage, rather than rigidly adhering to the idea that any act of infidelity should automatically lead to its dissolution. Savage’s perspective promotes a more flexible and nuanced view of relationships, where couples can prioritize communication, forgiveness, and mutual understanding over the black-and-white concept of fidelity.

Savage’s views on infidelity and marriage often reflect his broader work as an advocate for open-mindedness and personal freedom in relationships. He encourages people to rethink traditional views of monogamy, recognizing that relationships are complex and that individuals may not always meet the expectations of fidelity in the conventional sense. By suggesting that the marriage should be valued above the individual act of infidelity, Savage calls for a shift in perspective that centers on the commitment and long-term health of the relationship.

The quote also speaks to the emotional and psychological dimensions of marriage, where trust, understanding, and compromise may hold more significance than the adherence to societal rules about cheating. Savage is proposing that the true test of a marriage is not how it reacts to a single act of betrayal but how the partners work together to overcome challenges and rebuild their relationship, if they choose to do so.

Ultimately, Savage’s quote advocates for a progressive and pragmatic approach to marriage, one that recognizes the complexities of human behavior and emphasizes the importance of relationship dynamics over simplistic judgments. He suggests that fidelity should not be an all-or-nothing concept but rather a factor in the broader, more important goal of maintaining a healthy, sustainable marriage.