Infidelity Facts and Statistics

 Posted on October 07, 2015 in Divorce

Infidelity, also known as adultery, is also known as cheating. No matter what you call it, the fact is that it often destroys marriages. Approximately 17 percent of the divorces that happen in the United States today are because of one partner's infidelity. If you suspect your partner is committing infidelity, talk to him or her about it. Express your concern about his or her activities – although he or she might deny that he or she is cheating, it is important that you make your suspicions known and you discuss them in a calm, rational manner. Do not, under any circumstance, attempt to harm your partner or his or her alleged affair partner as an attempt to punish him or her or end the infidelity. Sometimes, marriages survive infidelity. Other times, divorce is the right answer for the couple. But violence is never the answer.

Between One Third and One Half of American Adults Commit Infidelity

Statistics show that approximately 30 to 40 percent of American adults engage in infidelity at least once in their lives. Despite this, nearly all (approximately 90 percent) of United States adults feel that infidelity is morally wrong.

Men and Women Cheat for Different Reasons

Every individual has his or her own personal reasons for seeking intimacy outside his or her marriage, but generally, men commit infidelity for sexual gratification and women commit infidelity for emotional connection. Men are more likely to cheat than women, but the disparity between the sexes' cheating levels is fairly slim: approximately 45 to 55 percent of married women have had extramarital affairs, while approximately 50 to 60 percent of married men have done the same.

Infidelity Is Grounds for Divorce

Although all states allow couples to divorce without providing grounds, known as "no fault" divorces, Illinois and many other states still allow couples to provide grounds for their divorces. In Illinois, whether a couple provides grounds for their divorce or not does not affect their property division, child support, or spousal support settlements.

Many Factors Play a Role in Infidelity

There is no one factor that determines whether an individual will commit adultery or not. Certain factors, like an individual's work environment, his or her religious beliefs, and whether he or she lives in an urban or rural area can all be linked to the likelihood that he or she will commit infidelity. For example, individuals who live in cities are more likely to commit infidelity than those in rural areas simply because they are surrounded by more people, not only giving them a greater selection of affair partners but a greater feeling of anonymity within the community. Similarly, those whose jobs require that they come into frequent physical contact with others or have deeply personal conversations are more likely to have affairs than others.

Kane County Divorce Attorneys

It hurts to be a victim of infidelity. If your partner has committed infidelity or you suspect he or she is currently doing so, you have the right to file for divorce and end your marriage. For legal guidance and representation through every step of the divorce process, work with Goostree Law Group Contact our firm today at 630-584-4800 to schedule your free legal consultation with us. We are a team of knowledgeable, compassionate Kane County divorce attorneys who can help you successfully end your marriage and move forward with your life after infidelity.

Sources:

http://www.divorcestatistics.info/latest-infidelity-statistics-of-usa.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-chemistry/201403/why-people-cheat

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt.+V&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=6100000&SeqEnd=8400000