It could also be that there are misunderstandings in their relationship. For example, the wife might have made a decision without consulting her husband which the friend, perhaps misinterpreting the situation, thinks needs to be punished. But really, open and honest communication is always better than any form of punishment.
One reason could be miscommunication. Maybe they had an argument because she didn't convey her thoughts clearly and he wrongly took it as a betrayal of trust. For example, if she made plans without consulting him and it affected their finances. Another reason might be jealousy. If she was spending a lot of time with another man, even if it was completely innocent, he could overreact and think of punishing her. However, punishing a spouse is never a good solution in real life as it should be about communication and understanding.
It's not acceptable. Spouses are equals and should be treated as such. If there are problems, they should work together to find solutions rather than one person punishing the other. This can lead to resentment and further problems in the relationship.
In the story, the friend's behavior can be corrected by involving a neutral third party, like a mutual friend who is good at giving advice or a professional counselor. This person can help him see the error of his ways. Also, he should practice empathy. Try to put himself in his wife's shoes and understand her perspective. This will make him more likely to choose positive ways to deal with any problems in their relationship rather than thinking about punishment.
One possible reason could be if the wife has been constantly lying about financial matters. For example, if she has been secretly overspending. The consequence might be that she realizes her mistake and starts to be more honest. Maybe they set up a new system for managing money together.
Perhaps in some extremely abnormal and unethical fictional scenarios, it could be due to some warped sense of power or control the husband has. But this is completely unacceptable in real - life relationships. In real life, we value the dignity and privacy of individuals, and a relationship should be based on mutual love, respect, and protection.
One possible reason could be that the husband has some sort of guilt. Maybe he has done something wrong in the relationship and he thinks allowing his wife this brief affair could be a form of compensation. Another reason might be that they have an open - minded view on relationships and they believe this short - term affair won't damage their long - term bond. It could also be that the husband is unable to meet certain emotional or physical needs of his wife, so he reluctantly gives her permission for a brief affair.
One reason could be for socializing. Wives might feel lonely at home sometimes, so inviting a friend over for a chat can be a great way to pass the time and have some adult conversation. Another reason could be to share something, like a new recipe she tried or a new book she read.
It might be a way to get her partner's attention in a very direct way. In a story, the wife may feel that her partner has been ignoring her or not taking her seriously enough, so she uses this rather extreme but effective method to make sure he focuses on her and her needs.
One reason could be that the husband's friend has an extremely charming personality. His charisma draws the wife in, making her more interested in him. It's like when someone has that 'x - factor' that makes them really engaging in conversations.
One possible reason could be a lack of satisfaction in his own marriage. Maybe he feels unappreciated or neglected by his wife. Another reason might be the proximity and familiarity with the wife's friend. They might have spent a lot of time together, which could lead to the development of inappropriate feelings. Also, some people have a tendency to seek novelty and excitement outside of their committed relationships.