The Real Reasons Why Women Cheat -- by Feminista Jones

The most common reason women cheat is because they’re not getting enough of something from their current partner. Usually, the sex is bad and shows no signs of improving, their partners aren’t carrying their share of the emotional labor load, and they’re feeling neglected, or they’re experiencing a combination of the two. Men who cheat are more likely to report being happy in their relationships than women, with their reasons leaning towards seeking sexual pleasure from someone new. Women, on the other hand, tend to seek emotional fulfillment when they step out, especially when their partners are men.

Only recently have women felt empowered to express their sexual dissatisfaction or to urge their partners to meet them halfway emotionally. Women have long been expected to endure lackluster sex and be content with emotionally unavailable or stunted partners, especially if they’ve partnered with men. As women become more sexually liberated, more invested in their own emotional fulfillment, and less willing to settle for partners who do little more than occupy space, the temptation to find something “better” increases. Maybe if we didn’t shame women for exploring their sexuality outside of monogamous relationships or for having multiple partners, we’d see more women waiting before they make long-term monogamous commitments or avoiding them outright.

Some women cheat simply because they can; it’s exhilarating and can make them feel powerful. Boredom or frustration with life, in general, can also be a motivation for someone looking to shake things up a bit. A survey of over 1,500 people also found that having power can motivate people towards infidelity — the more professional and financial power a person has, the more confidence a person has in their ability to attract people. As women experience professional growth and become more financially secure, why wouldn’t we expect them to do what powerful men have been doing forever? And since they’re less economically reliant on romantic partners, if they get caught and their relationships end, they can provide for themselves in ways women of previous generations could not. Interestingly enough, another study found that people who are completely financially reliant upon their partners are more likely to be unfaithful, likely due to resentment, feeling trapped, and being in a relationship based less on love and more on financial support.

--Feminista Jones on Medium.com

I like Ms. Jones point of view. But I wish she would use some other verb than "cheating." In one case, she said women "step out," which is less emotionally charged. And she admits to being "ethically non-monogamous," which is a term I've adopted for myself.

The full article is here: [zora.medium.com]