As many fans, myself included, patiently await the return of ABC’s hot T.V. drama, Scandal , we have been glued to our screens on Tuesday nights to watch Gabrielle Union on BET’s even hotter drama, Being Mary Jane.

I can’t help but notice the two similarities between Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union).

Both are beautiful, successful, influential women who can’t seem to find a man of their own!!!!!

Here you have Olivia Pope who knowingly falls in love with a married man and every Thursday on my Facebook timeline, I see women rooting for Olivia and Fitz to be together.

Then you have Mary Jane Paul, who has been dating Andre for a few months until she eventually finds out the he, too is married. However, she continues the affair. Nevertheless, as I read polls and notice the commentary of fans of the show, they are all #teamandre.

Now I know these are television shows, but I have to admit, I’ve witnessed first hand many women who are allowing themselves to be some man’s woman on the side for very different reasons.

Whether it be because it’s convenient or because she feels they will soon be together, they are still considered, from the outside, THE SIDE CHICK.

But why are so many condoning these types of relationships? Why are women even allowing this?

Well I have the answer.

Women get lonely….The dating world is tough.

In many instances the man treats his mistress better than he treats his wife cause he doesn’t want to lose her. She gets showered with gifts, dinners, compliments and plenty of attention without the commitment. And if it’s commitment that she wants, he promises her that as well. He tells his side chick whatever she wants to hear just to keep her in his pocket.

However the reality is, NO MAN SHOULD BE STARTING A RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER WOMAN IF HE IS ALREADY IN A RELATIONSHIP! POINT…BLANK…AND THE PERIOD.

I understand it gets lonely on the journey to finding love, but shows like Being Mary Jane and Scandal (Though I am a devoted fan to both) are sending the wrong messages to women, especially black women. What these shows are saying to me is “All men are free reign whether he is married or not. If you put it down right in the bedroom and are loyal to him and patient with him, he will eventually leave his wife and run off into the sunset with you.”

But I just want to provide this little tid bit of information: There is always, ALWAYS someone better and willing to do just a little more than you out there that may be waiting to take that same man away from you. And if he was so weak to fall in love with you outside of his committed relationship, what makes you so sure that he wouldn’t do the very same thing to you?

Karma is a bitch ladies and gentlemen. Nothing good lasts forever and all good things must come to an end.

This side chick epidemic is real. So please believe that same man that says he is going to leave his wife or girlfriend to be with you, will be doing the same thing with another beautiful, successful, vulnerable woman- just…like….you.