GENDER PERSPECTIVE

In the book chapter I'm working on now, I discuss gender disparity or differences and similarities between the genders with regard to an affair. Reliable statistics have been difficult to come by, especially in the past because of the sensitivity of the subject or how the research was conducted.

Today, however, individuals have become more open about their opinions and experiences , although accurate results from larger populations is still relatively limited. Here are just a few interesting current observations and results:

7% of married men are more likely to be unfaithful to their wives, than
women are to their husbands. The conjecture is that men are more likely to
continue having affairs into their 50’s and 60’s, while women are more likely to stop in their 50’s. Once again the need for men to spread their seed and improve
their gene pool is given as explanation followed by the thought that maybe
men are just more willing to admit to having affairs than are women.

39% more likely to have an affair living in a large city rather than a small
town or rural area.

If you earn $75,000 rather than $30,000 a year you are 150% more likely to
have an affair.

A husband who spends less than 10% of his time with his wife, can expect a
10% chance that his wife will stray. (Only 10%)?

More than 90% of the general population believes that it is “always” or “almost always” wrong for a married person to have sex with someone other than their
spouse.

Regardless of that belief, extra-marital sex happens. Many times what for one partner in an affair is a magical connection, for another , it could be just a pleasant time. For the unknowing wife or husband, the affair has an impact on the marriage. Once known the affair may injure the partner in a myriad of ways and could end in divorce.

Although many affairs are short-lived, some endure. For some the enjoyable company of each other, the friendship that develops, the affection and mutual support becomes the substance of a loving relationship, often echoing the form of their own marriages at some stage.

Chapter Three of Adultery is Universal; But I'm Getting Married Anyway; What to Know before You Do or Already Have covers perspectives men and women have along with the taboo aspects, sexually active teens' impressions and behaviors, same-sex paerners and love.

Resources:

(Bruce Elmslie and Edinaldo, Tebaldi (2008). So, what did you do last night? The economics of infidelity. Kyklos, 61 (3), 391-410.).

Judith Treas and Giesen, Deirdre. Sexual infidelity among married and cohabiting Americans (2000). Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62 (1), 48-60.

David Atkins and Baucom, Donald (2001): Understanding infidelity