Who cheats more, male or female in the UK?

Infidelity is a sensitive topic, and understanding who cheats more, men or women, has been a subject of significant research and debate. In the UK, like in many other countries, infidelity rates vary depending on the factors studied, such as age, relationship length, and gender. This article explores who cheats more—men or women—in the UK, looking at statistics, research, and the factors influencing infidelity.

Infidelity Rates in the UK: An Overview

Infidelity, in its various forms, is relatively common in the UK. While exact figures can vary depending on the source, research shows that infidelity is a significant issue in many relationships. According to surveys and studies conducted in recent years:

About 1 in 5 marriages in the UK experience infidelity at some point.
Men have historically been reported to cheat more than women, but the gender gap in cheating has been narrowing in recent decades, particularly as societal norms around relationships and gender have evolved.

Do Men Cheat More Than Women in the UK?

Historically, studies have shown that men are more likely to cheat than women. However, as societal attitudes towards relationships and gender roles have changed, the gap between male and female infidelity rates has been closing. Below are some key findings from recent studies on infidelity in the UK:

Men: Studies consistently find that men are more likely to cheat than women. According to a YouGov poll conducted in 2020, around 19% of men in the UK admitted to having cheated on their partner, compared to 16% of women. While the difference is relatively small, men continue to report higher rates of extramarital affairs overall.
Women: Although men have traditionally been more likely to cheat, research shows that infidelity among women has increased in recent years. A 2019 survey found that women in the UK are becoming more open to having affairs, with an increase in emotional affairs, often through online platforms and social media. While men still report slightly higher rates of physical infidelity, women are more likely to engage in emotional infidelity (forming close, non-sexual connections outside their relationship) than ever before.

Factors Behind Infidelity in Men and Women

The reasons men and women cheat can differ, although there are many overlapping factors. Understanding these reasons provides insight into why infidelity rates may be higher in one gender compared to another.

Reasons Men Cheat More:

Sexual Desire and Variety: Men are often motivated by a desire for sexual variety and novelty. This is commonly cited as the most common reason for male infidelity. Men tend to cheat because they feel unsatisfied with their partner sexually, or they seek a sexual experience outside the relationship.
Opportunity and Temptation: Men, especially younger men, are more likely to engage in infidelity when presented with opportunities for casual sexual encounters, such as in social situations, on business trips, or through online dating platforms.
Lack of Emotional Fulfillment: Although men are generally less likely to cheat for emotional reasons, some do engage in affairs when they feel emotionally neglected or dissatisfied in their primary relationship.

Reasons Women Cheat More:

Emotional Dissatisfaction: Research suggests that women are more likely to cheat due to emotional dissatisfaction. Women often engage in infidelity when they feel emotionally neglected, unappreciated, or unsupported by their partner. Emotional affairs, where they seek emotional intimacy from someone outside the relationship, are common among women.
Need for Validation: Women may cheat when they feel insecure or desire validation. In some cases, women cheat because they are seeking attention, affection, or praise that they feel is lacking in their primary relationship.
Opportunity and Online Affairs: With the rise of online dating and social media, women are increasingly finding opportunities for infidelity. Emotional cheating has become more common among women due to the anonymity and ease of communication provided by digital platforms.
Revenge or Retaliation: Women sometimes cheat as a way to get back at their partner for a perceived wrong, especially in cases where the partner has been unfaithful first.

Changing Patterns of Infidelity in the UK

Several societal changes over the past few decades have contributed to the evolution of infidelity rates, making it more common across both genders in the UK. These changes include:

Changing Gender Roles: As gender roles continue to evolve, women have become more financially independent and socially empowered, which may reduce the stigma around infidelity for women. As women become more empowered to make their own decisions, some feel freer to seek emotional or physical intimacy outside their relationships if their needs are unmet.
The Rise of Online Dating and Social Media: The advent of the internet and online dating has made it easier for people to engage in extramarital relationships without their partners knowing. Both men and women have been able to hide their affairs more easily, whether emotional or physical, due to the anonymity that online platforms provide.
Shifting Attitudes Toward Marriage and Fidelity: Marriage and traditional fidelity have become less of a societal expectation for some individuals, especially among younger generations. The stigma surrounding infidelity has decreased, and people are less likely to see affairs as a serious violation of moral standards.
Increased Openness About Infidelity: Surveys and studies on infidelity show that people are more open about admitting to affairs. This has led to more honest discussions about infidelity and the realization that both men and women are capable of cheating.

Which Gender Cheats More in Different Age Groups?

Young Adults (18-29): While both genders are less likely to cheat at a younger age, the gap between male and female infidelity is less pronounced. Young men may still cheat more than women in this age group, but infidelity rates are relatively low overall. This age group tends to have relationships that are less committed and more exploratory, which can contribute to a higher likelihood of cheating.
Middle-Aged Adults (30-49): Infidelity rates tend to increase as individuals enter their 30s and 40s, and in this age group, men generally report higher rates of cheating. However, women in their 30s and 40s are increasingly engaging in affairs, particularly emotional ones. This group often deals with pressures such as work-life balance, raising children, and marital dissatisfaction, which can drive both men and women to seek relationships outside their marriages.
Older Adults (50+): In older age groups, men are more likely to cheat than women. This could be due to a combination of factors such as mid-life crises, changing family dynamics (empty nest syndrome), and the desire to regain youth or sexual satisfaction. However, women are still increasingly engaging in affairs in this age group, often in the form of emotional or online infidelity.

Conclusion

In the UK, men have traditionally been more likely to cheat than women, but the gender gap has narrowed significantly in recent years. Research suggests that men still report slightly higher rates of infidelity, but women are catching up, especially in the realm of emotional infidelity and online affairs. Several factors, including changing societal norms, the rise of online dating, and evolving gender roles, have contributed to this shift. As infidelity patterns continue to evolve, it is clear that both men and women are equally capable of betraying trust in relationships, albeit for different reasons and in different ways.