Rich sports star gets caught sleeping with some of the many women that throw themselves at him.

The only surprise is that it took so long to come out.

If he wasn't married and selling the "settled family man" image, this would be a non story.

Then again there are many women celebrities who have cut a respectable (maybe that was a poor choice of word) swath through Hollywood's leading men, hangers-on and anything with trousers. Some give score ratings on their lovers to magazines, including details of the man's 'package'. Now they even extend their conquests to other women, but no comments yet on gynaecological measurements and performance thank goodness.

Frankly I reckon it is balderdash that 'Men define themselves by sex. ...(or that).. sex is an undeniable mark of success for many men.'

This is society's expectation of men and most men resent the demand it places on them to be the relentless pursuer, ever-ready and always available for sex. Of course young men are more interested in sex but so are young women and in the bars and night spots it could be argued that women are often more the pursuers than the pursued.

The interest in Tiger comes from gossip columnists and women's magazines, where the stereotype of the 'love rat' is an oft-discussed topic. Most readers are completely oblivious to and probably uninterested in the fact that probably as many women as men cheat while in a serious relationship. Challenge such stereotypes and the whole reason for having the mag fades away.

Ask men about Tiger and they see him as an idiot - a respectable golfer but a fool who would mount anything. Few men find any respect for a man who cannot control his urges.

As for Tiger, since when did being a sports jock require anything much in the brains department? As for self-discipline, well maybe that was all used up on the golf course. Tiger, like the cricketer Warne, does not represent all or even many men. Maybe more might fantasise about loving more women but in the cold reality of day few would choose that path. Women have their fantasies too but it would be silly to judge them on that basis.

Peter West, maybe your view and stereotypes are a little dated.

Tiger Woods came un-stuck with the public as he portrayed himself as one thing, whilst being another. If he had openly dated and slept with numerous women, he probably would still be sellable. Some men may even have been attracted to the playboy image, and women wouldn't have had to much sympathy for women who claimed that they were burnt emotionally by him, if he was a open and shameless philanderer.

By taking on board a wife and family though and running with that image he just appears as sorbid. Women who slept with him too, said he didn't use a condom. So apart from the numerous partners who slept with him though he was married, he put at risk his wife and unborn children at worst of a horrible death and that really is unforgivable.

Don't think he will be selling to much merchandise to women in future.

Cornflower:"The interest in Tiger comes from gossip columnists and women's magazines, where the stereotype of the 'love rat' is an oft-discussed topic. Most readers are completely oblivious to and probably uninterested in the fact that probably as many women as men cheat while in a serious relationship. Challenge such stereotypes and the whole reason for having the mag fades away."

Absolutely spot on.

JLDeland:"Don't think he will be selling to much merchandise to women in future."

The interesting thing is that you can make such a sweeping generalisation and that it is probably accurate. Women, especially those from the middle-class, do tend to have a remarkable capacity for "group think".

Whether Woods was married or not, it appears he was not sexually satisfied within his relationship. What is one to do in such a situation? Is polygamy a possible solution? What if he'd been in a long-term defacto relationship instead of a formal marriage; would that reduce the severity of the female response?

Throughout history people, especially powerful people, have sought extra-marital sex. Royal Courts were hotbeds of sexual intrigue and much of the history of the world is due directly to sexually-driven decisions.

Is it really so surprising that a powerful man like Woods should feel less than completely hemmed in by female middle-class values?

Not quite sure what the "female middle-class values" actually are Antiseptic, that you seem to think I have. My values are pretty standard for many men and women across Western society I think.

My problem isn't with a bloke or for that matter a woman (with any not exploited or coerced consenting adult) bonking where-ever they like and with whoever they like, in whatever numbers, combinations etc they like, my problem is with the dishonesty of someone like Tiger Woods who presents himself for profit as a family person, and also deceieved his spouse and put her and any unborn children in real danger.

If he found sexual dis-satisfaction in the relationship intolerable, he should have given her the option of a open marriage, or ending the relationship. If she was also dis-satisfied with him sexually then the same option should have been open to her. If she choose to stay, then I think the finger waving would be less at him as she could say she knew of his choices, and decided to overlook them.

Suspect my middle class partner would feel the same if I decided to play around. It wouldn't be the sex with someone else that would hurt him, though it would probably scare him that it would be the end of our relationship, it would be the betrayal if I was carrying on like he was the one and only which was part of the original arrangement. Nothing to middle class about that.

C'mmon guys,let's leave Tiger alone. So what if he was caught on the 13th hole or was it the 14th? Who knows best is Tiger. He's good enough to dig himself out of another hole that was a bad one. He's done it before and he may well do it again.So what? I bet all his critics would love to be where he's been.

socratease

Tiger Woods is a sinner like everyone of us. Hopefully he humbles himself, turns from his wickedness and finds the Only One who can forgive him. Going to a secular psychologist will result in him becoming the victim and quite likely his parents to blame.

No,he doesnt need any psychiatrist or God.All he needs is another hole

socratease

Lol socratease! I agree with Jl Deland.

None of this would really matter if he was a single bloke out there amongst his adoring fans.

However, he sold himself to advertising firms as a solid family man.
Now it turns out he likes to play the field, so he is shown as a liar now, to his wife and family foremost, and then to the people who pay for his part in endorsing products.

Anticeptic <'Whether Woods was married or not, it appears he was not sexually satisfied within his relationship. What is one to do in such a situation? Is polygamy a possible solution? What if he'd been in a long-term defacto relationship instead of a formal marriage; would that reduce the severity of the female response?"

On the other hand Mr.'septic, we could also speculate that Tiger was less than a satisfactory lover and she was disappointed in him, leading to a reluctance to have sex very often?
Maybe he had to take on lots of lovers because he couldn't keep the interest of one at a time?
For you, the woman is always at fault.

Either way, he was obviously still having sex with his wife because she had only recently had a baby. Tiger was putting his wife and children in mortal danger of contracting life-threatening sexually transmitted diseases. Not a nice bloke.

JLDeland:"My values are pretty standard for many men and women across Western society I think."

They're perfectly in line with those of all the other middle-class females, quite true. OTOH, Woods isn't either middle-class or female, so my question remains: "why would he feel bound by those values?" If your hubby subscribes to those values that you espouse it's hardly very surprising, since he is at least middle-class, even if not female.

suzeonline:"we could also speculate that Tiger was less than a satisfactory lover and she was disappointed in him, leading to a reluctance to have sex very often?"

Who cares what the reason was that he was unsatisfied, the fact remains that he obviously was. I suspect that a great many men are just as dissatisfied with their partner's sex drive. It's called biology, hon, do try reading up a bit on it.

suzeonline:"For you, the woman is always at fault."

LOL. And for you, she never can be...

Antiseptic: <"What if he'd been in a long-term defacto relationship instead of a formal marriage; would that reduce the severity of the female response?">

I don't know what female response you mean Antiseptic. Could you give some examples from somewhere.

Is Tiger Woods an icon to females or to males ? I thought his popularity seemed located more widely in a male following.

You also say, "Is it really so surprising that a powerful man like Woods should feel less than completely hemmed in by female middle-class values?"

I'm not even surprised when middle class men feel less than completely hemmed in by female middle-class values. Are you?

- and yet - are the values FEMALE middle class, or just middle class?

Well Antispetic, I think actually you are being more than a little insulting to a lot of people who aren't female and middle class and for that matter to those people the rich and powerful, when you think there is no reason that they would reject my 'Western' values (I actually suspect more culturally universal ones really) and not be bound to them. This is really about how you treat the other individuals you interact with, not about sexual morality. Treating people with respect and decency goes across sex, age lines, race, cultures etc.

Woods entered into a contract with his wife it seems to be monogomous. He may have entered into that contract in good faith and then found he couldn't keep his end of the bargain. At this point he should have alerted her to the situation and given her the chance to renegotiate the arrangement. At least then she could have said, 'if you refuse to use a condom with your other partners, you can use one with me', to protect herself.

So this isn't about male and female or class, it's about how you treat the rest of humanity. Obviously some people will cheat and lie their way through life even to people close to them and never suffer a moments angst. Doesn't mean we have to approve of them even if they can hit a ball straight on the sport's field, or perform brilliant surgery or be great at business.

I think you try and case feminist ball's you think are being thrown (now that's a interesting image) when it's not a feminist or for that matter 'middle class' view at all.

It's obvious to me that Tiger is an icon to both men and women.
To women because they never get enough and wish there were more Tigers with plenty in the tank for all who happen to be serviced.For men who never get enough and look closely inthe mirror to check out the two iron to make sure it's still there, and then they try a few swings over and over again to see if they are hitting anything

socratease

Who would have thought that playing lots of golf could increase a man's sex appeal so much?

benk,isnt golf all about making sure of putting your ball into the right hole?most golfers have to contend with more than one hole, so why the outcry against about tiger.he just didit better than other golfers.why are you so amazed?

socratease

benk, "Who would have thought that playing lots of golf could increase a man's sex appeal so much?"

Wrong, the women in his life picked him for his personality, intelligence, honesty, sense of humour and so on (there is a list).

Cornflower and Benk, Tiger may well have a stellar golf career and plenty of money, and he may well have the qualities Cornflower spoke of
(with the exception of honesty!).

However has anyone seen the latest photo of him without his shirt on in the latest magazines? Certainly eye-catching to say the least!

suzeonline, you are showing how easy it is for women to want the hunk...and not just to follow him around the golf course,either.
What EXACTLY is the attraction if not sexual.

socratease

Well Socratease, I would say the leading attraction re Tiger Woods would have to be his fame.
Any woman hanging off his arm would certainly get her name in magazines and on TV etc, if you are into that sort of thing.

The obscene amount of money he makes would have to come in at a close second. Many women go for that sort of thing, no matter if the rich man is very old or very ugly!
Sad, but true.