Wedding Woes

BIL is doing sex work in secret.

Dear Prudence,

My brother-in-law disclosed to me that he had multiple sexual encounters with a married couple in exchange for money. He and my sister are struggling financially, and when he first mentioned that he was propositioned, I urged him to decline the offer because no good would come of it. That was about a year ago; then recently he said he gave in (at least twice, I guess) because they needed the cash. However, he has not told my sister. I am upset that he thought it okay to engage in an affair like this and upset that he disclosed this to me and expects me to keep it from my sister. They have two young children, and I know if I said anything to my sister, their family would implode. Keeping it from her also feels bad because if she were ever to find out that I knew, it would destroy my relationship with her.

— No Good Options

Re: BIL is doing sex work in secret.

  • Yikes!  I would feel compelled to tell sister especially because of her potential risk to being exposed to an STD
  • There is no way in hell I could keep this from my sister.  I would tell her 100% and he can deal with the consequences.  He's putting her health at risk (even if he's practicing safe sex outside the marriage), lying, and potentially engaging in illegal activity (assuming prostitution is illegal where he lives). 
    *none of this is a knock on sex workers* 
  • There's no way I'd be able to keep that from my sibling. He gets a deadline to tell her, or I'd do it myself. 
  • He definitely needs to tell his wife. This is a "You do it, or I do it" situation. Idk that I would call this an affair but everyone has different definitions I guess.
  • banana468 said:
    mrsconn23 said:
    I'm still stuck on him disclosing this to LW.  It makes me wonder if he wanted to tell LW to upset them, then they tell sister, sister shoots the messenger, and it's somehow going to be easier on him?
    I think he's hoping the LW is going to force his hand. 

    Years ago when my ex-BF was cheating on me he told a mutual good friend of ours.  That friend has always been a no BS "I'm not helping you do something wrong," kind of personality and ultimately gave him the ultimatum to tell me before she did. 

    I continue to have very little gray area when it comes to cheating.  There are ramifications for the health of the cheated on.  I think the BIL is feeling guilty and wants it to come out.
    All this.

    BIL wants LW to tell sister or force him to tell sister.
  • It’s inappropriate to involve someone in your sex life without their consent. BIL is a bad dude and you owe it to your sister to tell her. 
  • There’s literally nothing more I can add to this advise. Wife needs to know.

  • Tell her. Sex work is fine but not in secret and not when you don’t disclose to your partners. 
  • banana468 said:
    mrsconn23 said:
    I'm still stuck on him disclosing this to LW.  It makes me wonder if he wanted to tell LW to upset them, then they tell sister, sister shoots the messenger, and it's somehow going to be easier on him?
    I think he's hoping the LW is going to force his hand. 

    Years ago when my ex-BF was cheating on me he told a mutual good friend of ours.  That friend has always been a no BS "I'm not helping you do something wrong," kind of personality and ultimately gave him the ultimatum to tell me before she did. 

    I continue to have very little gray area when it comes to cheating.  There are ramifications for the health of the cheated on.  I think the BIL is feeling guilty and wants it to come out.
    Thanks for providing a possible explanation!

    I was most stuck on "why in the world would a cheater tell their spouse's sibling about an affair".

    Obviously the LW needs to make sure the BIL tells the sister or they need to do it themselves.  Who cares if the BIL (supposedly) wants to keep it a secret?  The LW's loyalty should be with their sister.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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