5 Reasons Why Those In Happy Relationships Still Cheat

We tend to relate cheating to those who are involved in unhappy relationships, but a surprising statistic reveals that a large percentage of cheaters (50 percent of men and 30 percent of women) considered themselves to be happy and in love with their significant other.

The truth is that even though we might not want to admit it, cheating is extremely common and people don’t have to be unhappy or evil to do it.

Here are 5 reasons why happy and normal people could cheat:

Boredom

It’s easy to second-guess monogamy and the idea that you have to be with one person for the rest of your life. Everyone has these feelings, but the difference is marked if people decide to talk about it openly with their partners rather than looking for another relationship. 

Big life changes

Deaths, fear, big opportunities, and growing older may push people to cheat. Research suggests that people are more likely to cheat if they’re entering the “danger age:” ages 29 and 39.

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Other studies suggest that people who are about to be parents and those who are facing big moments or changes in their lives are also more likely to cheat.  

The Thrill Of It

The idea of cheating and having something you’re no supposed to have is a huge aphrodisiac, even if you love your partner to death. The fact that you can’t see the person you’re having an affair with all the time feeds into that desire and makes each encounter more treasured and passionate. 

The Cheating Gene

Dopamine receptors play an important role in cheating. A study showed that 50 percent of people with the long allele variant of the gene cheated on their partners while only 22 percent of people with the short alelle variant had cheated. The first group also demonstrated risky behavior and a vulnerability to drug and substance abuse.

Society Says It’s Okay

After being married for long periods of time, many believe cheating is inevitable and allow themselves to have that one-time fling. This type of thinking absolves part of the guilt and makes the cheater feel better about themselves.

Statistics on cheating are very hard to measure, but an estimate claims that 60-70 percent of married couples stay together after one of them has an affair, which proves that cheating is more common than we think and that, for some, it’s not a deal breaker.