Are Men or Women More Loyal in Relationships? Facts on Infidelity

Are Men or Women More Loyal in Relationships? The Truth

When it comes to relationship loyalty, the question of whether men or women are more faithful has been debated for ages. But does one gender actually cheat more than the other? Or are both equally predisposed to infidelity under certain circumstances? Let's unpack the facts and myths around male vs female loyalty in relationships.

Studies on Gender Differences in Infidelity Rates

Research results are mixed when it comes to quantifying how many men and women cheat in relationships. Some studies have found nearly equal rates of adultery among men and women, while others conclude that men are much more likely to be unfaithful. Here is a sample of study findings:

A 2016 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found 19% of married men and 13% of married women reported infidelity at some point in their marriage.
An Institute for Family Studies report analyzing data from the 2016 General Social Survey found 20% of men and 13% of women admitted infidelity.
A 2005 online survey by MSNBC of 70,000 people found that among married men, 28% had cheated compared to 18% of married women.
A 1991 study in the Journal of Sex Research showed 45-55% of married women and 50-60% of married men engage in extramarital sex over their lifetime.

While the exact statistics vary between studies, the consensus from numerous surveys and polls seems to be that marginally higher percentages of men openly admit to cheating compared to women. However, the gap is not enormous.

Why the Discrepancy in Cheating Rates?

There are several theories as to why men's self-reported infidelity exceeds women's, even in studies showing only a small gap between genders:

Social stigma - Women may be less inclined to admit infidelity due to stronger social disapproval.
Definition differences - Women may define an affair more narrowly than men.
Opportunity - Men in positions of power have greater sexual opportunity.
Biology - Men's higher testosterone drive increases sex seeking behavior.

So while men do seem to engage in extramarital sex somewhat more often based on self-reports, the gap is modest. And there are plausible reasons beyond loyalty for the discrepancy in numbers.

Reasons for Infidelity in Men vs Women

When evaluating loyalty, it's important to understand the motivations behind cheating. Studies show clear differences between why men and women are unfaithful:

Men are more likely to cite sexual motives like dissatisfaction, novelty seeking, and ego boosting.
Women more often cite emotional disconnect, intimacy issues, and relationship struggles.

This aligns with the stereotype that men cheat for sex while women cheat for emotional connection. But in truth, both genders cheat for both reasons. Nonetheless, the emphasis does differ between the sexes.

Do Men Struggle With Monogamy More Than Women?

Some evolutionary psychology theories propose that men have greater innate difficulty with monogamy. The reasoning is that men are driven to propagate their genes as much as possible. But experts debate this notion:

Critics argue both genders feel tempted by novelty and variety at times. Social controls are what constrain this urge.
Modern realities make lifelong monogamy challenging for both men and women for emotional reasons.
Cheating cannot be blamed solely on biology. Mores, opportunity and relationship issues also drive it.

While men may experience more frequent sexual temptation thanks to hormones, it seems both genders struggle to remain monogamous for emotional and practical reasons. So this dynamic does not necessarily make men less loyal by nature.

Do Women Become More Unfaithful as Gender Roles Shift?

As more women entered the workplace and became financially independent, some predicted they would have more affairs to match men's levels. But research does not bear this out:

A Kinsey Institute study found little change in women's infidelity rates between 1990s and 2010s.
Working women and stay-at-home moms cheat at similar rates according to National Opinion Research Center data.
Female economic and social empowerment has not led women to mimic men's cheating habits so far.

Women enjoying more autonomy does not appear to be eroding their loyalty or increasing cheating behavior. Equality does not make women "act like men" in this realm.

Do Women or Men Use Infidelity to Leave Relationships?

Some assume that women use affairs to pave the way to exit relationships more than men do. Research again disputes this notion:

A University of Austin study found men initiate two-thirds of divorces, often divorcing after an affair.
A 2015 study in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice showed men and women who cheated were equally likely to end the marriage.
Accurately predicting who leaves relationships after affairs is difficult across genders.

While cheating may signal relationships issues, both sexes partake in infidelity yet still try to repair their marriages at similar rates afterward.

Are Men or Women More Often the "Victims" of Cheating?

Painting one gender as the victim when infidelity occurs obscures complex relationship dynamics. That said, data shows:

In heterosexual marriages, most cheating men report having affairs with unmarried women.
Men are victims of infidelity almost as often as women, contradicting stereotypes.
No clear gender differences exist in how intensely betrayal is felt.

All the evidence indicates men and women experience the devastation of unfaithfulness with similar frequency and intensity. Both genders can equally be "victims".

Key Takeaways

While men admit to infidelity modestly more, both genders seem to cheat at fairly similar rates overall.
Cheating motivations tend to differ for biological and social reasons across genders.
Opportunity, mores, and relationship issues drive infidelity at least as much as gender differences.
Women have not grown more unfaithful as gender roles evolve.
Despite assumptions, men do not necessarily struggle more with monogamy or use affairs to exit relationships.
All evidence indicates both sexes cheat and are "victims" at nearly equal rates.

So when it comes to loyalty, men and women have more similarities than differences. No gender is necessarily more honorable or prone to infidelity. With the right commitment and effort, both men and women can be equally faithful partners.

FAQs

Do men or women cheat more in relationships?

Studies show mixed results, but generally indicate men self-report slightly higher rates of infidelity, around 20% versus 13-18% for women. However, the gap is modest with both genders cheating at fairly similar rates overall.

Why do men cheat more than women?

Reasons like greater sexual motivation, more opportunity, and social stigma against female cheaters may account for the small gap in infidelity rates. But relationship issues and emotional reasons also drive both genders to cheat.

Are men naturally less monogamous than women?

Some evolutionary theories propose men struggle more with monogamy. However, experts debate this notion, as social and emotional factors also strongly influence loyalty for both sexes.

Has female cheating increased alongside more gender equality?

Despite assumptions that more independent women would cheat at higher rates, research indicates women's infidelity has not risen significantly as gender roles shift.

Do men or women use cheating to end relationships more often?

Men initiate divorce more overall. However, studies show both men and women who cheat are equally likely to end the relationship. There are no clear gender differences in using affairs to leave a partner.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.