Why do people cheat?

There can be any number of reasons why an individual may choose to be unfaithful to his or her partner. In many cases, a wide range of external factors come into play. One or more of these external factors may combine to result in an affair.

Attraction

Contrary to popular opinion, sexual attraction alone is not necessarily the primary reason behind an affair. Instead, emotional factors often play a big role in why an individual embarks on an affair. This is particularly true as far as women are concerned, as a lack of emotional intimacy in a current relationship can encourage a wife or girlfriend to look elsewhere. Men will often seek sexual intimacy from another partner if it is not forthcoming at home.

Novelty Value and Excitement

For some people, the main attraction of an affair is the added excitement that it brings. The prospect of being caught out is often an aphrodisiac that heightens the excitement of sneaking around. This factor is rarely about replacing something that is lacking in a current relationship. A person who cheats for this reason is likely to have several affairs.

Being Unhappy With A Current Relationship

Feeling unloved or taken for granted is often a common reason why a person may cheat on their partner. Other problems can include financial difficulties at home that put a strain on the relationship. Instead of confronting their partner and tackling the issues face-to-face, this factor is used as justification for the affair.

Low Self Esteem

An individual who is suffering from low self esteem may embark on an affair to "prove" that they are attractive and desirable to others. This inflates his or her self confidence and makes him or her feel better about themselves. In some cases, this factor will relate to a "mid life crisis" in which an individual feels the need to reassure himself or herself with regards to his or her attractiveness.

Revenge

If one partner has previously been unfaithful, an affair can become a form of revenge. In this situation, cheating is an attempt to make a partner feel the same hurt and humiliation that was experienced when they had an affair. If this degree of bitterness is still felt by a partner who has previously been cheated on, it is unlikely that the relationship will be anything other than doomed to failure. This type of affair should indicate a highly unsuccessful relationship that is best ended before the affairs become chronic forms of revenge.

People can cheat for a number of reasons, and it is not always easy to pinpoint exactly why they may be unfaithful. Some reasons are put forward more often than others, as many affairs can be explained by at least one of the above factors. In the majority of affairs, little or no consideration is given to the feelings of the wronged partner.