MrBond, my question is what is the source of the assumption that "sticking with that one person" is a stronger "vow" than being a sexual partner to your spouse? In some cultures and times the husband has/had the right to physically punish his wife for refusing sex, etc. So what? I'm talking about marriage in America.
It seems to me that cheating on one's spouse and shutting off one's spouse are about the same level of breaking one's vows. Both are grounds for divorce, and both result in divorce in practice. I'm still not sure how you draw your distinction. Just calling it marriage is a circular answer. So what comes to my mind is the American attitude which tends a little more toward sexlessness as being more "pure" than active sex. Just my impression when compared with France, etc.
