Cheating: What Pushes Men and Women Over the Edge?

By Editor November 3, 2016 10:14

(Featured Photo: tiempo.hn)

By: Carla León Celaya

Has cheating become an art form? Why is it now considered trendy, revealing and addictive? Oh, and hard to dismiss? There is a wealth of research, statistics and workshops that are produced everyday around this subject. The concern for infidelity is high; the act of it, even greater.

Here’s some food for thought from the website, Truth About Deception—curated by scholars, scientists and working professionals:

An estimated 30% to 60% of married individuals will cheat at some point during the relationship.
An estimated 2% to 3% of children are a result of infidelity.
It is becoming more “trendy” for those under 30.
Men are more likely to cheat; but, as women become more financially independent, the scale starts to even out.

With the evolution of technology and an ever-changing system of values, infidelity is sure to become the favorite meal of many – though not served everyday, it might end up as a constant in the back of our mind.

According to the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center, these are the top 7 factors that may lead someone to be unfaithful:

Marital dissatisfaction: Those not happy are 4 times more likely to engage in infidelity.
Divorce: Those with a previous divorce are twice as likely to cheat.
Married at a young age: Those married early on are 4 times more likely to be unfaithful.
Employment: Working “away from home” increases the risk of infidelity.
Income: Those who earn $75,000 or more per year are more likely to have an affair.
Education: Those with a master’s degree or higher are more likely to cheat.
Lack of religious beliefs: Those who don’t attend services are 2.5 times more likely to engage in unfaithfulness.

So now, the question to you is: what do you do if you find out that your significant other is cheating on you?

I say… walk away! While Frida Kahlo once said, “at the end of the day we can endure much more than we think we can” – that shouldn’t apply to a cheating spouse or lover. We are stronger than we think we are, but it doesn’t mean we deserve to be mistreated.