Cheating women: figures on the rise
By Elena Ognivtseva
Think men are the only cheaters out there? Think again: a recent study shows that the number of married women engaging in extra-marital affairs is on the rise. Whether it’s as payback for the man’s past wrongs or a lack of sex in their relationship, more women are seeking sexual encounters outside of marital bliss. 20% of all UK married men are cheaters, and women aren’t far behind with a staggering 15% of all married women seeking love elsewhere.
Why do women cheat?
According to ASKMEN, the number one reason why women cheat on their spouses is as revenge. That’s right: it’s because men cheat first. Whether it was a secret office fling or a drunken mistake, it’s true that hell hath no fury like a women scorned. The second reason was that cheating made a great exit strategy that made it easier for women to break up with their spouses, and the third most popular reason was simply ‘bedroom boredom’.
What’s causing the sudden rise?
Dr David Holmes, a psychologist and lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, says that women are having more affairs than ever thanks to the internet, jobs outside of the home, and changing social attitudes. That’s not all, though.
The main reason behind the apparent rise of female extra-marital affairs is not that they’re happening more frequently: it’s that women are better at keeping their discretions a secret while men are more careless and leave a trail.
“The biggest difference is that women are much better at keeping their affairs secret,” Dr Holmes said. Not convinced? “If you look at the studies into paternity,” he added, “even conservative figures show that between eight and 15 per cent of children haven't been fathered by the man who thinks he's the biological parent.”
What happens next?
If you’ve discovered that your partner is being unfaithful, what do you do? Studies show that around 22% of men will stay with their partner, while 28% of women will stick to their man if he’s strayed. However, if a woman cheats on her husband with another woman, she has a 50% chance he’s keen to stick around. That’s because biologically girl-on-girl action doesn’t pose a reproductive threat and can be considered a safe foray into sexual territory. It might also be because it’s the ultimate male fantasy to be invited into a steamy hot threesome with his wife and her girlfriend.