Why do men cheat on women?

Heterosexual infidelity is increasingly common. Statistics vary, but most estimate that 20% of married men have secret extramarital sexual relationships at one point or another. Why? This illicit betrayal can ruin lives and tear families apart. So, what drives men to cheat on women?

The 'Other Woman' is why men cheat

This approach believes the fault lies with the woman who lured the man into temptation.

Women lure men away from their partners

Infidelity takes place when a woman chooses to lure a faithful man away from their unsuspecting partners.

The "other woman" is liberating herself from men

Women choose to fall into the "other woman" role as an expression of their sexual liberation and freedom to submit to their desires above all else.

Men are born to cheat

This approach see male infidelity as hardwired into their DNA.

Men have biologically evolved to cheat

The genetic distinction between how many children men and women can have, is the key genetic difference at the heart of this debate.

Men prefer younger women

Men are more likely to cheat, because men prefer younger women. The attraction to younger women is backed by scientific evidence.

Men don't cheat because it is a gendered construct

This approach believes that cheating is not a gender issue.

Monogamy is unnatural for men and women

Humans are meant to have multiple partners at any one time. No wonder people end up cheating.

Women cheat as much as men

Research shows that rates of female infidelity are increasing, while men are cheating less.

Men cheat only in certain situation

There is no single cause for infidelity. Just as every relationship is unique, so are the causes for betrayal.

Men are socialised to cheat

The masculine ideal makes male infidelity permissible. Some communities treat male infidelity as a norm, or even encourage it.

Society conditions men to cheat

Strength. Virility. Bedpost notches. Men are socialised into aspirations of a "male ideal". This can lead to cheating, as a type of performative masculinity.

Men cheat because they are trapped in unhappy relationships

Men cheat because they are unsatisfied with their current partner.

Men are not satisfied with their partners

There is a significant link between cheating and relationship dissatisfaction.

Men are unwilling to sacrifice

Relationship experts claim relationship satisfaction depends on how much a person is willing to sacrifice. And men don't like sacrificing their needs.

Psychological factors cause men to cheat

Infidelity changes the way men think about themselves and view the the object of their affair.

Men fall in love with a "fantasy"

Infidelity begins with lust. This results from a man projecting his own fantasies onto the object of his desire.

Men cheat to feel validated

Sexual attraction intensifies when a person feels valued. Men cheat because they feel increasingly validated by the attention of other person.
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This page was last edited on Friday, 30 Oct 2020 at 09:20 UTC