Based on the tabloids and your prime time channel lineup, it would seem like cheating and open relationships are borderline trendy right now. But regardless of how popular it is on shows like Mistresses and Satisfaction, how do people really feel about these less-than-traditional takes on happily ever after? A new survey by USA Network aimed to find out, and the results aren’t exactly good news for the hopeless romantics out there. Check out some of their surprising insights below:
Cheating is Wrong—Unless You Won’t Get Caught
When it comes to cheating, it seems there’s a huge double standard. Eighty-two percent of people polled said they have zero tolerance for cheating in their relationships; yet almost the exact same percentage—81 percent—also said they would cheat if there were zero consequences. Well, to be fair, we’d do a lot of things if there were zero consequences…
Certain Kinds of Cheating Are Kind of Allowed
Meanwhile, a little more than half of people said they believe there are justifiable reasons to stray, whether driven by extreme unhappiness in a relationship or if the infidelity occurs with a celebrity crush. (Remember that next time you run into Ryan Gosling at Whole Foods!) Interestingly, the most accepted reason to justify cheating was to get back at a significant other who was unfaithful first. Since when do two cheating spouses lead to a happy relationship?
Technology Makes Cheating Easier
One thing was very clear in this study, which was that technology, from Tinder to texting, has definitely made it easier and more tempting to cheat, as 86 percent of those polled confirmed. And just because it starts online, that doesn’t mean it’ll stay there: Only 31 percent admitted to straying in a “digital though not physical” relationship. If you fear Facebook’s affect on your fidelity, check out five tips for preventing social media from wrecking your relationship.
It’s (Mostly) Harmless to Fantasize
So what about those types of affairs that don’t actually end up in the bedroom? Are they considered cheating, or are they simply fantasies? Interestingly, while 19 percent of men and 13.5 percent of women admitted they’ve developed romantic feelings for someone they follow online but don’t know in real life, 48 percent of those polled also said they don’t feel any guilt about fantasizing about someone else. Still, falling for someone outside your relationship is a recipe for disaster; check out these three signs you’re an emotional cheater to get your head straight.
Monogamy May Not Be Realistic
The majority of people in the survey agreed that monogamy is a “social expectation but not a biological reality,” while 45 percent of people said that multiple long-term partners would be more realistic. And interestingly, one out of five men prefer a “monogamish” relationship…though we’re not entirely sure what that entails.
But don’t let these stats bum you out—the network only polled 1,000 people, so it’s possible that not everyone shares these beliefs. If you’re worried about infidelity affecting your relationship, check out these factors that may predict cheating, plus what to do if it happens to you.
Source: Graphic online