Statistics reveal that 56% of men and 34% of women who engage in infidelity rate their marriages as happy or very happy. This paradox makes understanding the reasons behind infidelity more complex and challenging.
The following infographic provides insights into the prevalence of infidelity, the reasons people cheat, and strategies for couples to heal and move forward.
If you suspect your spouse may be unfaithful and are seeking professional investigative services, please contact us for assistance.
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Infidelity – The Cold Hard Truth About Cheating
The news of the Ashley Madison website hack has brought the topic of infidelity further into the limelight. We take a look at how prevalent infidelity has become, what causes it infidelity, and the steps that need to be taken to recover from it.
Infidelity: Facts & Figures
- 30% to 60% of all married individuals will engage in infidelity at some point during a marriage.
- 33% of men and 19% of women admit when they’re unfaithful to their partners.
- 57% of men and 54% of women admit to committing infidelity in a previous relationship.
- 22% of married men and 14% or married women have strayed at least once during their married lives.
- 74% of men and 68% or women say they would have an affair if they knew they would never get caught.
- 60% of affairs start with close friends or workers.
- 58% or men and 34% of women who cheat rate their marriage as happy of very happy.
- An average affair lasts 2 years.
- 31% of marriages survive an affair.
Country by Country: Are Affairs Morally Unacceptable?
- France: 47%
- Germany: 60%
- Italy: 64%
- Spain: 66%
- Japan: 69%
- Canada: 84%
- Britain: 84%
- United States: 84%
- Australia: 70%
The 10 Most Adulterous Nations
- Thailand
- Denmark
- Germany
- Italy
- France
- Norway
- Belgium
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Finland
Why People Cheat?
1. Lack of sexual satisfaction in their primary relationship.
2. Desire for additional sexual encounters.
3. Lack of emotional satisfaction in their primary relationship.
4. Wanting emotional validation from someone else.
5. Falling out of love with their partner.
6. They want to seek revenge.
7. They’re curious and want new experiences.
Recovering From Infidelity
Steps for the Betrayed Spouse
Ask lots of questions
After finding out the facts about the affair, it is important to find out about your partner’s feelings, and you should aim to discover what pushed your partner to have an affair.
Balance your rage with your need for information
You’ll want to scream, cry, and lash out – but big emotions may prevent your spouse from making the full disclosure that leads to recovery.
Expect curveballs
The spouse who had the affair may become angry or even accuse you of betraying him or her. Keep the focus on the affair itself.
Don’t forgive quickly or easily
You must grapple with your pain and anger first and rebuild trust.
Spend time together without talking about the affair
Connect as friends and romantic partners by doing the things you’ve always enjoyed.
Forgive only when you’re ready
Take this important step only when you feel ready to let go of your negative feelings, and when your partner has been completely honest and has taken steps to rebuild your trust.
Steps for the Unfaithful Spouse
1. Stop the affair
Agree to sever all contact. This lifts secrecy and creates a sense of safety for the betrayed spouse.
2. Answer any and all questions
This helps couples heal better after an affair if the adulterous spouse supplies all of the information requested.
3. Show your spouse empathy, no matter what
The best indicator of whether a relationship can survive infidelity is how much empathy the unfaithful partner shows when the betrayed spouse gets emotional about the pain cause by the affair.
4. Keep talking and listening, no matter how long it takes
You can’t speed up your spouse’s healing process2, and you shouldn’t ever negate it’s significance.
5. Take responsibility
Blaming your partner for the affair won’t heal your marriage. Showing sincere regret and remorse will.
6. Don’t expect quick or easy forgiveness
Your partner may be in deep pain or shock. Expect tears, rage, and anger.