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Infidelity in marriages is not something uncommon or unheard of. In fact, this is one of the harsh realities and dangers in a marriage.
Recently, there was a significant increase in the searches on Aha!NOW about “spouses having an affair”.
Husbands were searching for “how to tell if their wife was having an affair”. Similarly, wives were searching to know the “signs of their husbands having an affair”.
These searches give an idea of the high risk of betrayal or unfaithfulness in marriages and the fact that it is happening in most marriages around the world.
In this short pictorial post, I’ve compiled all the information you need to know about extramarital affairs, cheating, or infidelity.
Yes, I suggest you read it whether you are married or not because sooner or later you may face these shocking facts in your married life.
I wish it does not happen so to you – but only wishing will not do. You need to become aware of the causes and consequences of infidelity in a marriage.
What is Infidelity
The dictionary meaning of infidelity is “the quality of being unfaithful”.
Being unfaithful in the context of relationships in a marriage is “having sexual relations with someone other than your husband or wife, or your boyfriend or girlfriend.”
Does that mean unfaithfulness is different from having an affair or cheating on the spouse?
Well, all these terms mean infidelity. Infidelity can be of many types – like emotional infidelity, financial infidelity, and the most common type, as we all know of, is sexual infidelity.
Sexual infidelity is adultery. It is defined as “Extramarital sex that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations”.
Harleena has written a detailed post on affairs – why people have affairs and the signs that may tell you if your spouse is cheating on you. Do read it.
Why People Cheat and Have Affairs
A marriage is supposed to be a sacred relationship. However, the true fact is that it is just like any other human relationship that needs some vital ingredients to sustain and survive.
They are – Love, Understanding, Communication, and Kindness. (LUCK)
If you have this LUCK in your marriage, you’ll not be troubled by the stress and trauma of infidelity in your marriage.
Not all are as lucky in marriages and rather find their spouses cheating on them.
Here is an infographic that shows the results of a survey where men and women tell why they cheated in a relationship.
Do you believe people can cheat on their spouse for “no real reason”?
Here is the result of another survey on why spouses cheat on each other:
The results are surprising, isn’t it?
Men and women cheat even when they have a happy marriage. Somehow, there is something that weighs heavy on their minds and makes them cheat.
It is the spice in relationships for women and sex for men that stand out as the most common reasons for infidelity in marriages.
Okay, it is sex for women too. Here is a result from a survey done in UK:
Infidelity happens, but it happens for a reason, isn’t it? But what are the forms of infidelity – let’s find out.
Recommended read – 10 Facts About Infidelity
What is Considered as Cheating
There are reasons why people are unfaithful in a marriage but what is it that you consider as being unfaithful?
What is it that you consider as cheating in a relationship?
What have you come to experience or know the things that the cheaters do?
Good read – How To Become Best Friends With Your Spouse
What Do the Cheaters Do
Yes, they indulge in emotional affairs and have sex with other people.
But how do you make that out or what are the signs that they are cheating?
I cannot say about the reliability of these stats, but one thing is for sure that infidelity is on rampant in marriages today.
You can read a previous post on Aha!NOW about the signs of a cheating spouse.
Anybody can be a cheater. However, is there a specific type of people who indulge in adultery?
Must read – Why Does A Bad Marriage Happen
Who are more likely to Cheat
Some people by the nature of their job or occupation are more likely to cheat on their spouses.
They fall into the temptations or just can’t resist their desires. Though this can happen to anybody, and here is an infographic that brings up some shocking facts:
Well, well. I do not buy all the info presented in this graphic, but there is one alarming fact that there is high probability the spouses would cheat if they know they would not be caught.
How do you overcome the temptations to commit adultery? It has to be through understanding and self-control. It’s all in the mind, is it?
It does not matter whether you qualify to be one of the following mentioned types of people; you can still control yourself and not indulge in infidelity in your marriage.
I told you these are some shocking facts, but I really don’t think this assessment can be generalized.
However, do you know that certain places have most numbers of infidelity cases?
Do read – Are You In Love Or Lust – Do You Know The Difference
Where Do People Cheat
People cheat anywhere and everywhere. Let’s start with the United States of America.
These are the top 10 as well as the places of highest and lowest percentage of cheaters in America. This result is from the study of members of one American dating and social networking website.
Of course, you cannot treat this as an official or national statistics of the US. Moreover, the people of America do not quite accept adultery:
But it is not only America.
Here is a result of a survey conducted by Statista:
The United States is nowhere seen on this map. However, you will find cheaters in your city, and may be among your friend circle too.
One question that arises is that can having extramarital affairs be helpful in anyway?
Look at this part of an infographic:
Do you really think so?
I am sure the ones who have had a severed or broken marriage because of infidelity will never agree to this.
But I’ve heard that involving yourself in spicy activities outside your marriage can make your marriage more interesting and sexy.
Do YOU think cheating can actually help save a marriage?
Well, the American Association for Family and Marriage Therapy (AAMFT) does think so and you can read about it here.
Good read – 5 Simple Ways To Save Your Marriage
Wrapping It Up
I cannot come to any conclusion, but I’d go with the general opinion that infidelity in marriages should be a total no-no.
I personally detest and disapprove of any idea that would encourage adultery or cheating in a relationship.
I do accept that it is the default nature of human beings to be unfaithful. That is why we need to have sacred vows and rituals in a marriage.
Mostly, both men and women look outside for what they miss in their marriage – whether it is sex or emotional security.
Men generally tend to have affairs that are sexual in nature, while women look for affection and romance.
It is also a fact that infidelity is the most common reason for divorce.
If you do not have these reasons for your adulterous adventures, then you may be having the “cheating genes” running in the family.
Whatever it is, I believe you can strengthen your marriage with love, understanding, communication, and kindness.
Also be forgiving, be committed, be in control of yourself, and fulfill each other’s needs and demands.
Suggested read – 12 Surprising Facts About Cheating
Over To You –
Why do you think people cheat in a marriage? What else do you consider as cheating? Do you approve of infidelity? Do you think extramarital affairs can be helpful n a marriage?
Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net