IMO, the hormonal rushes that Erin was dealing with played a role in this. She was pregnant, hormones raging, and she lost that baby in a miscarriage. Hormones levels again fluctuating, eventually down to the point she was ovulating, *means hormones uprising again*, and became pregnant again, so another splurge in hormone levels. Even as someone much older than Erin, those changes can affect your thinking, your feelings, etc. Add in her being only 19yrs old, married to a high school sweet heart, and possibly had never dated anyone else, much less had sex with anyone else.
Now all of sudden, she's surrounded by men in uniforms, many with high self esteem, which can be sexy to many females. Something innocent can quickly become an affair especially if you don't know how to handle the attention you're receiving, due to age, inexperience, etc. Throw in the typical stories heard from those having an affair about how the other isn't doing this or that, they feel unwanted, their spouse just doesn't appreciate them, blah blah blah, and the fire is ignited.
I've stated before, I've been in Erin's shoes as far as an affair. Over 18yrs later, and I still regret it, but it happened. The more I've thought of it, since this case, the more I think mine was due to lack of self esteem, never really dating at my means, always below, and settling, etc., and when a good looking, someone I considered out of league was interested in ME, yup I fell for it hook line lies and sinker! I'm not proud of that time in my life, but it happened.
I think at some point in most people's lives, they go through a wild child phase. Now this just my opinion and I have no link to back it up. But I've witnessed it numerous times. You wonder what else is out there. Wonder if you're 'missing' anything in life. Erin wasn't even at a legal age to drink, which is when I see LOTS of wild child phases occur.
I also see Erin in a vulnerable state. She's across the country from her support network. Hasn't really been at the base long enough to start a new support team. Seems the Lees were one of the first couples that she and JC hung out with. Seems JC knew the Lees before Erin came to the base. Erin arrived before JC was back on base. So she was alone. Just my speculation, but JC could have trusted the Lees and asked them to take Erin under the wing so to speak, and show her around base, around the area, welcome her to the base, and help her adjust prior to him coming back. Erin learned about the horse rescue from someone, and since the Lees were already involved, not a stretch that they might have even introduced her to the rescue.
Again, no matter what the reason behind the affair, no one deserved the death penalty for it. We all make mistakes, make the wrong choices. The majority of us get to move on, and learn from those lessons, and experiences. Life is all a learning experience, which we hope to never stop learning from. Erin didn't get that chance to move on, and correct her errors.
I also don't think JC would have had any problems raising the child. He didn't realize the affair was still going on. But even if he found out, nothing in his actions to me show that he would have thrown Erin out, and no way. All men aren't monsters. Many fathers aren't the sperm donors, but accept the child as their own, and love and raise them as their own. CL took that chance/choice from the Corwins as well. The Corwins were trying to rebuild their marriage. Working through the issues. It's very possible that the true paternity of the child wouldn't be known until it was born. Another action that will never happen because CL took that opportunity away.
:moo:
