Why Do Men Cheat?

Since time immemorial, men have cheated. They cheat on beautiful women, they cheat on smart women, they just plain, old cheat.

And yes, women cheat too, but in light of recent events, we've decided to stick to the menfolk for this one.

According to Newsweek's panel of analysts, men cheat for a variety of reasons.

They Want More

The problem is that they never seem to get enough excitement. "Their experiences have to be either very new or very intense, or both, or else they get very restless," says Zuckerman. "When things get monotonous, they have to do something else to increase their arousal."

They Like The Thrill

For these types, the risk itself is part of the reward. "Breaking rules is a thrill for them," says Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University. "Look at Spitzer: he's Mr. Rectitude, the terror of Wall Street, and he busts prostitution rings, and yet he allegedly goes into that very lions' den--the prostitution ring--and partakes. If that isn't risk-taking I don't know what other
label to put on it."

Too Much Testosterone

Alpha males are high on testosterone, the hormone that underlies almost all the typical traits of the politico-sexual animal: high levels of testosterone make for a high sex drive, a love of risks, aggressiveness and competitiveness.

They Want Power

As the saying goes, power is also an aphrodisiac--and that's been true, says Kruger, as long as humans have been around. "In our evolutionary history, men who had lots of resources and status and power were able to have more than one partner. Your body is basically saying if you have this power, you should use it, because that's what has worked before," [Gastil] says.

They Think They're Invincible

"It does have an element of Greek tragedy to it. There's a certain amount of hubris that goes with getting to the top," says Gladue. "You think you're invincible. You just don't think it could happen to you." Until, of course, it does.

What do you think? Have you ever cheated? If so, why? Tell us below!

Comments

[loki]

Why is it ok to bash men who cheat. and Ive said before Im not one of them.
But women can do all they want and its apparently ok?

I cant tell you how many times women , including my X wife and her friends would hoot and yell and go on about how sexy some guy was, or how they would drop their husbands in a second if this guy or that guy wanted to sleep with them. But anyone of the guys just comment on how lovely a woman looked that night, or anything like that, and all the woman jump on all the guys calling them typical men, always looking, always thinking sex, you dont love me , Blah blah blah.
Its a total double standard. And apparently its the same on cheating too. Not all men cheat, not all women do, but its in style to bash guys just because some do cheat.

[loki]

And women cheat because they have Vagina.
I know thats why my X wife did. And still does.

[loki]

Oh, and I never once cheated on her.

[zigzag1]

Because they have dicks !

[loki]

Cant say here why women do it. The C word pisses to many of them off. But they can use dick all they want and its ok.

[LordMoon]

Marriage is just not for everyone, neither is monogomy.

The trick is in knowing who you are before you get into a relationship, that way you don't make yourself and someone else miserable trying to be someone your not.

For some people marriage feels like a jail sentence, but others seem to be able to have open relationships even in marriage. it's different for everyone.

[JackNasty]

As Dorothy Parker wrote:

"Hoggamus, higgamus, Men are polygamous.

Higgamus, hoggamus, Women monogamous."

Problems arise only when men proffer lies about being monogamous, which women require, and women believe those lies.

[loki]

Not the woman I was married to. She used me for financial gain. Then she used that to go clubbing and humping younger men at hip hop clubs. Glad she is gone.

[pastgone]

What a headline--"Why Do Men Cheat?" There are a heck of a lot of women out there cheating as well. "Why Do Some People Cheat?" is a far less insulting headine to those men of us who do NOT cheat--and there's a lot of us, too.

[dadw5boys]

WE LOVE A CHALLENGE.

[3fingerbrown]

Because their wives are hatchet-faced castrating shrews.

[Leda]

Yes as said by someone here- nobody owns anyone! What really is disturbing is that this whole country is being Cheated on & lied to by the men that we've entrusted to run it.

Elliot Spitzer was a crusader against that very disease. I don't care if george bush cheats on laura- that is their business- but the fact that he has cheated the american people so blantantly! that is what should outrage others. what happens with husband's & wives is not my concern- these men have been hired supposedly to protect the people of this country & they are accountable to the amercian people on issues that are directly related to their jobs!!!!!
so bush can always say he was faithful to Laura -- that is of no consolation to me.

[ElkoJohn]

,
. . . . . . . ''CHEAT--HAPPENS". . . . . .
.

[lehrbob007]

I propose women created the word "cheat" to shame men into conforming to THEIR instincts. I also propose men's natural instinct to spred their seed is as HOLY as a woman's maternal instinct to puke out babies and bleed the sperm donor for 18yrs of child support. I've never cheated cuz my Mr Happy is sometimes shy.

[Tyrione]

Same reason Women cheat. They aren't owned by anyone.

[Gary47]

it's hard to answer that in general, but I suspect part of it has to do with women wanting men to be like their girlfriends, and rarely consider embracing men for who they really are, rather than their fantasy. No wonder men's eyes wander. Get any group of married women together at any time and just listen to them whine about their husbands. Wake up ladies, we notice.

[DEirinnMe]

This is for the married cheaters. Honest men don't cheat, nor do honest women. They face up to their problems and handle them together. I was married to a cheater and it did so much damage to me I thought that I would never recover. I am a former model with a Masters in Art History. I felt ugly, stupid, depressed worthless. It has a terrible psychological effect on the person being cheated on (the cheatee??) I had to seek therapy because I didn't want my daughters to learn from my example. I wanted them to form strong relationships with good men. It helped me tremendously. I learned that the cheating really had nothing to do with me, it had everything to do with him, what kind of person he was. He was dishonest in many parts of his life, and this was just one. I am very lucky to have learned this lesson (painful & expensive). I am now married to a wonderful man, and we have a very open and honest relationship.

My oldest daughter (32) is happily married to a really wonderful man. But she had many man-trust-issues in College and even during courtship. My younger daughter (30) dates men all the time, gets marriage proposals constantly, she's so much fun and truly beautiful, but she wants absolutely nothing to do with marriage.

So my biggest concern with this Spitzer thing (aside from the fact that if you shaved his head, he would look just like Valdemort!!) Is the effect his actions will have on his three daughters. It is difficult to imagine, but that family can no longer go anywhere with Mr. Spitzer (valdemort). He will be recognized and bring horrible shame to his wife and daughters. By carrying his name, every time his daughters are introduced, or introduce themselves that shame will follow them, and it is HIS shame, not theirs. They've done nothing. It is beyond horrible.

My ex-husband was not famous, but was well known in our neighborhood as he was a contractor. We had a daughter in College and another a Junior in HS when he came home to dinner one night and announced that he had a six month old son. The woman lived in our neighborhood and made no secret after that of her and my husbands actions, so my daughters and I had to live with that ignomy for quite a while. It is SO beyond painful. My youngest daughter hasn't spoken to her father in 12 years.

SO, while you fellows say you do it beause you can, the next time think about the impact it might have, not just on your life, but on the lives of people you love. Oh, yes, my Mother-in-law, who was so wonderful to me and my daughters died of a heart attack one week after the BIG announcement. She was 62 years old with no history of heart trouble. Think before you act. Think about Spitzers daughters.

[BobOnThis]

Stupid Question: Why Do Men Cheat?

Answer: The vast majority of married men don't!

Better Question: Why Do Women Cheat?