What is infidelity?
Sleeping around whilst in a relationship is not always considered “cheating”. Infidelity depends on the terms of the relationship. Generally, we find that these terms are such that each spouse has agreed to refrain from sexual interaction with anyone other than their partner. In some circumstances, this agreement is vastly different. Overall, it can be agreed that infidelity itself, is breaking the terms of the relationship through sexual interactions.
Infidelity Statistics
Various research provides statistics on infidelity that show it is more common that most people would think. One study suggests that around half of long-term relationships will involve an affair. Another source suggests that up to 70% of all marriages will have experienced an affair, whether the affair is once off, or ongoing. The same source suggests that up to 60% of married men and 45% of married women reported to have had an affair at some point.
Who typically cheats?
So, what does a “cheater” actually look like? The answer may surprise you. The most common group of offenders is actually those that have been in committed relationships for decades. Middle aged men and women, that have raised children and grown close together, are at a higher risk of infidelity. One would assume that it would be the party-going youngsters, but the age of cheating, when looking on a graph, actually runs at a bell curve. Infidelity rates for men peak at the age of 55, whereas they peak at the age of 45 for women.
Even more surprising is that often those that are unfaithful, say that they genuinely love their spouse. Furthermore, 80% of those people say that they would still choose their same spouse if they got married all over again.
Often those that are unfaithful are partners who have spent decades of their relationship being committed and faithful. Then one day they cross a line that they never thought they would. Additional research has also found that the rates of infidelity are also related to socio-economic factors. While both poor men and rich men cheat equally, it’s women that have a high income household that are most likely to cheat. In fact, affluent women are 80% more likely to cheat than women from average or low income households.
Who’s more difficult to catch out?
It is mostly agreed that women are more difficult to catch out when it comes to cheating. Women will often think long and hard before they choose to act. “Is the risk worth the reward?” “How can I minimise getting caught?”. On the contrary, men don’t think, they just simply act and are therefore, more easy to catch out.
Who typically calls Spouse Spy?
The percentage of male vs female enquiries is 60% women to 40% men. In this article, we have looked at trends, percentages, economic factors and gender differences for infidelity. The reality is that pretty much anyone can cheat or be cheated on. This is why we have had both men and women, at a wide spectrum of ages, that have called on Spouse Spy to assist.
What usually happens if the cheater is caught?
Frequently when we catch someone cheating the relationship ends, but not in all cases. Sometimes when the cheater has been caught, and admits to what they have done, they feel extreme guilty and have a partner willing to hear them out. Eventually they are able to build a stronger relationship with the help of counselling. All things considered, the outcome depends on whether infidelity is a deal breaker for the person that has been cheated on.