In Defence of Tiger Woods

We could treat Mr Woods more fairly.

Extramarital sex is common

Back in 1948 and 1953, Kinsey estimated that approximately 50% of all married males had some extramarital experience at some time during their married lives.

Among the sample, 26% of females had had extramarital sex by their forties. Between 1 in 6 and 1 in 10 females from age 26 to 50 were engaged in extramarital sex.

That was about 50 years ago.

Mr Woods is human, as we all are

Mr Woods is rich, successful and a celebrity.

Girls would willingly have relationships with him.

Should he have resisted their advances?

Maybe he ought to have.

But, in his defence, one should take into the account the libido that drives us all, the tension that he faces when playing world class golf, and the loneliness of the hotel room when he is on tour.

Is it seriously suggested that, after one day playing golf, and facing another day of competition the next day, Mr Woods should retire to his hotel room and watch TV?

Especially when attractive ladies are throwing themselves at him?

It would not be human to expect Mr Woods to refuse their advances.

Of course, there are good reasons why Mrs Woods couldn't accompany him on tour.

However, I understand that when Meryle Streep goes away for shooting films on location, she insists that her husband comes along.

The boundary of morality is elastic

Mr Stanley Ho, the Macau casino tycoon, has five wives, and they are happy with the arrangement.

Emperors of old had numerous affairs, and that was acceptable to all.

The French court, Henry VIII and his eight wives, and the Chinese emperors - their affairs were acceptable and accepted.

Even the only lady Emperor of China, Wuzetian, kept her own harem of young men to satisfy her.

Nothing was seen to be wrong with that.

And we learn that the South African President had been seen publicly with a lady whom is now marrying, as his third wife.

The wedding ceremony is presided over by his current two wives. 

Nothing about the President 'cheating' on his wives.

Be slow in casting stones at Mr Woods

I would say, respectfully, "Let those who have not sinned, cast the first stone."

If we have not sinned, then we could speak ill of Mr Woods only if we can say, sincerely and honestly, to ourselves that we would not have sinned if we were in Mr Woods' situation.