Why People Cheat

Why do people cheat?  Studies vary, but research shows that 25% to 60% of men and up to 45% of women will cheat at some point in their marriage. Affairs affect almost one out of every three couples.

Who are these people?  We  Americans never think of ourselves as being the “type” of person to have an affair.    In 1973 research showed that 70% of Americans said affairs were always wrong.  In 2004,  the numbers increased to show that 82 % said affairs were always wrong. The rest said affairs were almost always wrong.  In 2006, Americans said that adultery was worse than polygamy and worse than human cloning.

Yet more women than ever before are now admitting to having an affair.  One study shows that up to one-half of married women have at least one lover after they are married before the age of 40.

Women today have the same opportunities as men to find lovers and to cheat.  There are more women working, driving and carrying cell phones than ever before.  With the advent of the internet and hand held devices it is easy to connect in cyber relationships and to create intimacy online.

Another reason for the high rates of infidelity today may be the increasing availability of social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter.  Social networking provides a platform for infidelity where none had previously existed.   It’ easy now to meet people online and develop an intimate and sometimes sexual relationship with a stranger.