Although the majority of Americans say it is
unacceptable, nearly one in four married adults still cheat on their spouses.
But what constitutes being unfaithful differs among men and women,
according to a new survey.
Most people questioned in the poll agree physical contact -- including
kissing someone other than your partner -- means you are cheating. But 77
percent of women also think using the Internet for online sexual talk or
cavorting in front of a Webcam is also cheating, compared to only 57
percent of men.
"We've always had the inside
scoop about what's on the minds of women, especially when
it comes to relationships, said Deborah Fine, president of iVillage Inc, a
media firm dedicated to women.
"This new survey gives us a closer look at how both men and women feel
about the topic of fidelity," she added in a statement.
Nearly three-quarters of women also feel sending flirtatious emails is
cheating, as opposed to 53 percent of men.
According to the online survey of 70,288 people, the most common
cheating partners are friends and co-workers. Money is also an element in
deceitful behavior because the higher a man's salary the more likely it is
that he will be unfaithful.
But the same does not apply to women.
Men said they usually strayed because they wanted more sex, while women
sought emotional attention.
The survey also revealed that many partners will try to find out if
their spouse is straying.
Eighty-three percent of people questioned in the poll said they would
try to trick them into confessing, 63 percent would pay for a private
detective and more than half said they would have no qualms about checking
emails and telephone logs.
But when people do have affairs they are usually brief. Nearly 30
percent last a week or less and 47 percent are done within a month.
Those who do cheat rarely get caught, only about 30 percent or less,
according to the survey. And just 13 percent confess to their misdeeds.