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Do more women cheat than men?
Executive summary
Most recent publicly cited surveys and summary articles report that men report higher rates of sexual infidelity than women (commonly cited figures: ~20% of married men vs. ~13% of married women), but differences shrink or reverse in some age groups and by how “cheating” is defined (emotional vs. sexual) [1] [2]. Other reputable analyses find men and women “similarly prone” when using certain samples and age ranges, and survey design and definitions cause large variation across reports [3] [4].
1. Headline: “Numbers that keep shifting — what the surveys actually say”
Multiple 2024–2025 write‑ups summarize U.S. survey data showing higher self‑reported rates of extramarital sex for men than women — for example, widely cited statistics of about 20% of married men and 13% of married women admitting to sex outside marriage [1] [2] [5]. Those same summaries also note that when studies broaden to “all relationship types” or include emotional infidelity or online sexual activity, absolute percentages and gender gaps change: one compilation reports 22% of men and 14% of women admitting to cheating across relationship types [2]. These are headline numbers, not immutable facts.
2. Headline: “Age matters — younger and older cohorts tell different stories”
Several pieces point out that the gender gap varies by age: young adults (roughly 18–29) sometimes show little difference or slightly higher rates for women, while middle‑aged and older men often report higher rates, with peaks for men in their 50s–70s in some datasets [1] [2] [6]. This age pattern means a single overall percentage can mask divergent trends across cohorts and life stages [1] [2].
3. Headline: “Definitions change everything — sexual, emotional, and online infidelity”
How a study defines “cheating” strongly influences results. Sources underline that sexual intercourse, emotional affairs, and cybersex are counted differently across surveys; women in some reports are more likely to report online or emotional infidelity, narrowing or reversing the gender gap depending on measures used [7] [2] [4]. The Survey Center on American Life emphasizes that infidelity is “slippery” and subjective — people differ on what they label as cheating, which affects prevalence estimates [4].
4. Headline: “Method matters — sampling, question wording, and disclosure bias”
Analysts and bloggers cited in this collection warn that sample sizes, recruitment methods, and social desirability bias shape outcomes: people may underreport or interpret questions differently, and many studies rely on self‑reports or convenience samples [1] [8]. The net effect: reported gender differences may reflect measurement artifacts as much as behavioral reality [1] [8].
5. Headline: “Competing analyses — some say the gap is small or non‑existent”
Not all reporting agrees that men clearly cheat more. A synthesis of Institute for Family Studies data described in later coverage concluded men and women can be “similarly prone” in certain age windows (e.g., roughly 11% men vs. 14% women in one report, not a statistically significant difference) — a finding picked up by mainstream summary reporting [3]. That demonstrates how choice of age range and statistical test changes the headline conclusion [3].
6. Headline: “Context: occupation, relationship type and culture also factor in”
Several articles point to correlates beyond gender: infidelity rates differ by marital status (higher for cohabiting/unmarried), occupation, region, and relationship satisfaction; some occupations and life circumstances show higher reported rates for one gender in particular [9] [10] [11]. These contextual variables complicate any simple “men vs. women” claim [10].
7. Headline: “What we can reliably say — and what we can’t”
Across these sources the consistent theme is that men often report higher rates of sexual infidelity in many large surveys, but the magnitude and even direction of the difference depend on age slices, definitions (sexual vs. emotional vs. online), and survey methods [1] [2] [4]. Available sources do not mention a single definitive, universally accepted estimate that settles “who cheats more” across all populations and definitions [4].
8. Headline: “How to read future claims”
Treat single percentages as provisional: check the sample (age range, married vs. all relationships), the definition of infidelity, and whether the piece notes statistical significance. When coverage cites the General Social Survey or Institute for Family Studies, look for the age range and specific question used — those choices explain much of the variation reported here [1] [3].
If you want, I can pull together a simple table of the cited headline estimates (source and exact phrasing) from the items above so you can compare apples‑to‑apples definitions and age ranges.