Women vs. Men: Who is More Likely to Cheat?
Most Americans have had the terms “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and health” beat into their brains from an early age. But no one really adds, “and until you cheat on me or I catch vibes you’ve been busy elsewhere” to their wedding vows. That’s because marriage vows are meant to provide a positive promise of what you’ll give, not a reminder of your limits. Of course, people change and according to nationwide statistics, over 40% of couples cheat and marital infidelity is the primary cause of up to 40% of divorces. But do men cheat more or do women cheat more likely to cheat and what can you do about it?
Aren’t Men Just the Worst?
Now, hold on ladies before you get your pitchforks out. It is true that in the past we were socially conditioned to at least mentally hold men responsible for marital breakdown when adultery was involved. Movies and media still often hop on the man-blame train when and where cheating is concerned. But the gender-related cheating gap isn’t as wide as it used to be, and it really comes down to age at this point, according to statistics. A major social survey conducted over a 5-year period discovered the younger the couple, the closer the gap. In fact, there was only a 1% difference in the number of male versus female marital cheaters within the 18 to 29-year-old age bracket. Women held the lead there with marital infidelity. The trend widens with age, however, resulting in 24% of males versus 8% of female cheating spouses in the randy 80-year-old bracket.
Why Do Men and Women Cheat at All?
Men and Women may have similar relationship needs, but they tend to cheat for very different reasons. Most people think men cheat primarily for physical gratification. While dissatisfaction at home can definitely play a part, most men actually cheat simply because they feel they can get away with it. And they don’t always cheat “UP”. According to psychologist Robert Rodriguez, approximately 10% of happily married men cheat on their pregnant wives.
That even includes men who find their wives more attractive when they advance in pregnancy. Women, on the other hand, don’t crave excitement as much as they crave peace and connection. Whether their marital infidelity is physical or emotional, they’re drawn to adoration, communication, empathy, and support. Therefore, women tend to cheat “UP”, finding a more suitable mate due to the affair.
What Can You Do if You Discover Or Suspect Marital Infidelity?
Intuition is often spot-on when it comes to marital infidelity. So if you suspect your partner’s cheating, you may be onto something. Pay attention and get your emotions in check. Think about what you need to move forward with proof and with your own happiness. If you’re scared or nervous about gathering information alone, call us to hire a private investigator. We can get the proof you need to help you decide the next best course of action or simply move on with your life.
