Relationship Expert Reveals Six Key Reasons Women Ch£at on Their Partners

A dating expert has identified six main reasons she believes women may develop a wandering eye while in a relationship, suggesting that these might “surprise” people. While infidelity varies from person to person and isn’t simply about being inconsiderate, sex and romance expert Tracey Cox believes the reasons are more complex than simply male lust versus female emotional needs.

Cox suggests that society interprets men’s and women’s reasons for cheating through an “overly simplistic lens,” but she believes there are many reasons a woman might wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere. She refers to recent research pointing to six primary motivations for women to cheat and explains why these factors might lead someone to stray.

1. Feeling Emotionally Neglected: Cox notes that a partner should be a lover and confidant, but if emotional needs aren’t met, a woman might look elsewhere. She told the Daily Mail that 65% of women in a study cited unhappiness in the relationship as a reason for infidelity, compared to 31% of men.
2. Getting Even: Women scorned by infidelity might seek revenge as a way of reclaiming dignity or balance in their relationship. Cox explains that this isn’t about even scoring but about restoring one’s self-respect.
3. Reclaiming Power: Some women turn to affairs to balance a perceived power disparity in their relationship, especially if they feel dominated or undervalued by their partner. An affair might offer a sense of control.
4. Seeking S*xual Satisfaction: Sometimes women cheat simply because they’re not satisfied in the bedroom, with 9% of women and 10% of men in the study admitting as much.
5. Stress Relief: Cox notes that while some handle stress with mindfulness or exercise, other women choose the escapism offered by an affair. This involves finding a lover to provide a break from daily pressures.
6. Boredom: In relationships that have become routine, women may look for excitement elsewhere. Cox explains that nearly 8% of women cheated out of boredom, while another 5% sought novelty. While men also cheat due to boredom (6%) and for novelty (11%), women may choose an affair for added thrill and adventure.

Cox summarizes that while monogamy offers stability, people can become desensitized, leading to temptation as a result of these motivators.