The Biggest Reasons Why Women Have Affairs

Many people don’t want to talk about the issue of married women cheating. Society tells us that it’s men being unfaithful while their devoted wives are waiting for them at home; however, in reality, it’s not so clear cut. More and more married women are having affairs, with an increase of 40% since 1990. So the percentage of wives cheat, statistics show between 10% to 25% will be unfaithful during the relationship. In comparison, the rate of men cheating on their partners has remained the same. Men and women are cheating at around the same frequencies, though the reasons why women have affairs may be different from men. Why are so many more females unfaithful to their partners? Let’s take a look at why wives cheat.

They’re Not Getting Good Sex at Home

There’s a common misconception that it’s only men who enjoy sex and that women can "take it or leave it." This just isn’t true in many cases. Many women love having sex, and if they’re not getting it from their partner (or they’re not enjoying it), it’s natural that they may seek it elsewhere. Many women effectively outsource their sexual needs to remain in their relationships. If they’re not getting pleasure from their partner, they will look for someone who can provide it, believing that this will stop the breakup of their marriages. Contrary to the claim that women can do without sex, many would go as far as leaving their partners if they’re not getting sexual satisfaction at home. Few women want to do this and so make the decision to cheat to get the pleasure they’re craving. Alicia Walker, a professor at Missouri State University, spent a year interviewing women who cheated on their husbands and discovered that the primary reason for unfaithfulness is a desire to save their marriages.

A Lack of Love from Their Partner

One of the major reasons why married women cheat is a lack of love, appreciation, or attention from their partner. Sometimes, women start to feel more like a nanny or housekeeper rather than a wife, and this can leave them searching for someone new to provide them with what they’re missing. Marriage therapist Winifred Reilly says, "Women tell me, 'I was lonely, not connected, I didn't feel close to my partner, and I was taken for granted. They say they wanted to have someone who would look into their eyes and make them feel sexy again." Many women who cheat are looking for someone who appreciates them for who they are rather than the services they provide in the household. Sociologist Lisa Wade believes that there is a lot of deep resentment from women about divisions of labor in the home, pointing out the apparent correlation between the unequal division of labor and married women cheating. Married women are frequently unhappy in their primary relationship, while men can be much happier but still cheat.

Alcohol Use Can Lead to Married Women Cheating

One of the reasons why married women have affairs is alcohol or substance misuse. Drinking alcohol can lead to infidelity spiraling out of control. Alcohol can give women (and men) a dose of "Dutch courage," lowering their inhibitions and reducing their normal judgment. They’re likely to feel more relaxed with less awareness of the consequences of their behavior. While someone might consider cheating when sober, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may be more likely actually to go through with it. So many married women who cheat have done so because they go out to a club with friends and have one too many, leading them to seek excitement in the form of a one-night stand or affair. Moreover, when someone drinks, they’re providing themselves with a ready-made scapegoat, allowing them to blame their actions on alcohol easily. They may say, "I only cheated because I was drunk, "or" the alcohol made me do it, " allows them to avoid taking responsibility for their mistakes.

Why Do Women Cheat with Married Men?

The phenomenon of "mate poaching" is becoming increasingly common, with more and more women going after married men. When a woman sees a good-looking guy, she is likely to more interested in him if he already in a relationship. A study from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that as many as 90% of women were interested in a man they were told was taken. In contrast, only 59% wanted a guy whom they believed was single. Why women cheat with attached males is a difficult question to answer, with several possible answers. Many people believe the reason why women have affairs with married men is that they’re more experienced. Some ladies are more drawn to guys whom they believe have more sexual prowess in the bedroom. Another possible reason is that a married man is seen as more desirable because another woman has screened him. After all, if someone else wants him and has married him, he must be worth wanting? Another likely reason why married males are so irresistible to some women is that they’re not seeking commitment. Some ladies simply aren’t looking for a happily-ever-after scenario with marriage and security. They may be simply looking for a sexy hook-up or casual encounter with a hot guy.

Married women’s cheating is on the rise, bringing the levels of infidelity to the same as that of men who cheat. The perception that it’s only men who cheat on their partners and women are always loyal has been rubbished once and for all! The truth is that married women have affairs just as often as married men, with research suggesting that between 10-20% of people in a long-term relationship or marriage will have sex with someone they shouldn’t. There are many possible reasons why women have affairs, from a lack of love and attention from their partner to wanting better sex and even drinking too much alcohol.