Why do women cheat? For love? For revenge? In most relationships, partners agree that their relationship will be monogamous and fidelity is imperative. A review of studies on infidelity suggests that about 20-25% of married couples experience at least one instance of infidelity during their relationship.
Are the reasons for women's betrayals different from those of men?
A recent research aimed to learn the reasons why women cheat. These researchers analyzed the responses of 116 women (and 138 men) from several different countries who had previously cheated. The women confessed the following reasons for their betrayal:
1. Dissatisfaction in their current relationship (64.66%)
The most common reason given by women regarding infidelity was dissatisfaction in the relationship, which is a complicated emotional and mental state. This can create constant conflict or a clear disconnect, but when women are unhappy, it puts them (and their relationship) at risk for infidelity. Women are twice as likely as men to report this as a reason for infidelity.
2. They saw their partner as distant (22.41%)
When women feel that their partner is not involved in the relationship, this can serve as a motive for cheating. Women are four times more likely than men to see this as a strong reason for their infidelity.
3. Desire for revenge (15.52%)
When women discover that their partners have cheated, it can motivate them to do the same. Women are five times more likely than men to cheat for this reason.
4. They are bored or looking for something new (12.93%)
Women may see cheating as an attractive opportunity. While about 5% of women indicated that novelty seeking explained their flirting, almost 8% said boredom was the reason they cheated.
5. They are sexually dissatisfied (8.62%)
When women are unhappy with their sex life with their partner, they may use this as a reason to look for other sex partners.
6. They have opportunities, are under the influence or are led by recklessness (7.76%)
Often these situations start with some flirting and during these "rushed" situations they do not think about the consequences.
7. The need to feel appreciated (6.90%)
Feeling appreciated and understood is very important, and if women do not feel appreciated in the relationship, this can serve as a reason for infidelity.
8. They love or desire the other person (6.89%)
To what extent do the qualities of the cheating partner affect women's cheating? Surprisingly, very little. Most of the reasons women use to explain their infidelities are related to their primary relationship.
9. They know their relationship is ending (6.03%)
Breakups are hard, but they rarely happen suddenly. Maybe the infidelity is the reason they need to end the relationship or maybe it's related to the pain of the breakup.
10. Their relationship is long distance (3.45%)
A small number of women blame distance for their infidelity. When couples live in different countries, there is more chance of infidelity.
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