In This Article
Subscribe to National Updates
Philandering Mommies Common, Survey Finds
May 16, 2008 09:00 AM
An AOL survey shows that one in three married moms is unfaithful. But they’re hardly the only ones cheating.
30-Second Summary
A recent survey by AOL Body and Cookie Magazine found that approximately one in three married women is involved in an extramarital affair. According to The Huffington Post, more than 30,000 women responded to the AOL survey, and “34% of these married moms is in the midst of, or has already had, an affair.”
Additionally, the survey found that “77% of the respondents said they want more sex.” The Huffington Post suggests that the female urge for infidelity highlights possible failures by modern husbands.
Michelle Weiner-Davis, a relationship therapist and the director of The Divorce Busting Center, told Psychology Today that a lack of sexual desire affects “at least 20 to 25%” of adult men in the United States.
But, male philandering also occurs at a high level. A findingDulcinea article examined the male tendency toward infidelity, noting that “More than a quarter of heterosexual male respondents said they wanted more than one partner in the next month, compared to just 4.4 percent of women.”
Some scientists believe female infidelity may be a genetic trait, and often agree that male infidelity results from an evolutionary impulse to widely reproduce.
Despite impulses toward infidelity, many couples maintain successful monogamous relationships, which can be accomplished through open communication, alertness and good behavior, The BBC explains.
Additionally, the survey found that “77% of the respondents said they want more sex.” The Huffington Post suggests that the female urge for infidelity highlights possible failures by modern husbands.
Michelle Weiner-Davis, a relationship therapist and the director of The Divorce Busting Center, told Psychology Today that a lack of sexual desire affects “at least 20 to 25%” of adult men in the United States.
But, male philandering also occurs at a high level. A findingDulcinea article examined the male tendency toward infidelity, noting that “More than a quarter of heterosexual male respondents said they wanted more than one partner in the next month, compared to just 4.4 percent of women.”
Some scientists believe female infidelity may be a genetic trait, and often agree that male infidelity results from an evolutionary impulse to widely reproduce.
Despite impulses toward infidelity, many couples maintain successful monogamous relationships, which can be accomplished through open communication, alertness and good behavior, The BBC explains.
Headline Link: New study reports 1 in 3 married women unfaithful
Colleen Dealy and Taylor Baldwin at The Huffington Post examine the results of an AOL poll suggesting that one in three married women are having, or have had, an extramarital affair. According to Dealy and Baldwin, the numbers indicate that American society may be changing its view of marriage and that the male ability to satisfy the female libido could be faltering.
Source: The Huffington Post
Background: Examining the unfaithful female
The AOL survey includes questions such as, “Do you schedule sex?” and “Have you had an affair since having kids?”
Source: AOL
According to an article published in 2004, scientists have found that female infidelity can often be traced to a woman’s genes. Researchers at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London found that “around 40% of the influence on the number of sexual partners and infidelity [was] due to genetic factors,” Reuters reported.
Source: Australian Broadcasting Company
Related: Is the ‘Infidelity Epidemic’ hard-wired in our genes?
Men and extramarital affairs
FindingDulcinea examines the “infidelity epidemic” and the seeming inevitability of cheating in many modern marriages, with a focus on male philandering.
Source: findingDulcinea
WebMD analyzes the male urge for infidelity. According to Steven Nock, PhD, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, “There’s no question that men cheat more than women.” Evolutionary impulse, boredom and a need for validation are all possible causes, the piece reports.
Source: WebMD
Dealing with infidelity
This BBC feature explores infidelity from both the male and female perspectives. The piece categorizes a series of affair types, including “the boat rocking affair,” “the exit affair” and the “three’s company affair.” The BBC offers tips on how to avoid infidelity, and how to recover if an affair occurs.
Source: BBC
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
