Men and women may cheat for very different reasons and as studies have shown, it’s usually based on the orientation that the both genders have. In fact, as of right now, some researches have show that men are more prone to cheat than women, and 20% of men have admitted to cheating compared to 13% of women.
However, on a general outlook, a man’s cheating behavior is not necessary tied to search for love and emotional connection as sex mostly for men is simply for pleasure, while cheating and sex for women is simply to find love and connect emotionally with a partner.
Though this reason cited above is usually on a general outlook, but let’s look at the other reasons why men cheat whilst understanding that these behaviors might apply directly to persons of both genders, but they can particularly be essential to men.
1. A Relationship Exit plan:
Sometimes when men cheat, it’s because they are trying to exit a relationship, and that is a first step.
Although people of all genders might cheat for this reason, men usually have difficulty conversing with their partner about their own needs and the relationship. If they are looking for a way out, they may see cheating as a means to an end, and when they are tired of a relationship instead of having a conversation about it, they cheat as a way to exit the relationship
2. They’re looking for Emotional connection:
Despite what gender code may tell us about men, cheating rarely happens for emotional reasons for men except when, of course, they’re feeling unseen or disconnected from their partner. These things can hurt and make men go into their cave where they protect themselves. When this happens a lot over time, the impulse to think about sex with other people escalates.
And generally speaking, men are usually known to have good social support system as far as close male friends are concerned and in those instances, the compassion and care from another woman in their lives may be very welcoming. It often starts as a friendship, maybe a female co-worker who starts to make him feel better about himself, and so an emotional connection forms.
3. They have indifference or narcissistic issues :
If a partner has cheated, there could be indifferent tendencies or narcissistic traits involved. They could be someone who just may not care about their partner’s feelings .They want what they want, and would do anything to get it. However often, when an opportunity to cheat presents itself , there are particular persons who don’t have a good ability to be understanding of other people’s feelings or the impact of their behavior on other people.
4. Cheating as an act of revenge :
Some men act out and cheat out of anger, envy or a desire for revenge. Even if their partner has not cheated on them, an offence committed to them by their partner or an outright frustration with the relationship or marriage might make them cheat to prove a point to their partner.
5. They’re struggling with drug abuse and ponography :
If one partner is dealing with a substance abuse or watching of ponography problems, instances of cheating may become much more possible .
6. Psychological issues:
Depression, frustration and anxiety can also increase this impulse-driven behavior, because if depression and anxiety are intense, it can really increase the need to get peace.
Peace and relief can often arrive in the form of a lady really attractive outside the relationship.
7. The need for valuation and Esteem :
Feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem can also drive men to cheat, particularly if they’re not getting that acceptance and recognition in their own relationship .If they don’t feel attractive and respected enough to their partner, they may cheat to look for external acceptance and validation.
8. Lack of emotional maturity:
Many of the reasons why men cheat is tied to emotional immaturity, I think that’s at the core of why men cheat. Men are usually taught not to talk about their emotions. By the time a man has an affair, there’s already been a long period of time when there have been issues on the background and they’ve had an inability to talk about those emotions.
In conclusion, poor judgment, lack of willpower, lack of self-control and emotional immaturity and intelligence is usually the underlying root for cheating.