Here Are The 10 Main Reasons People Cheat

1. Lack Of Emotional Connection

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A lack of emotional connection with a partner may be one of the main reasons why some people cheat. Individuals may experience a sense of loneliness when their emotional connection decreases. Some people may long for empathy, understanding, and real emotional support they do not feel they receive in their relationship. It may lead one or both partners to seek love and loyalty elsewhere.

2. Seeking Validation And Attention Outside Of The Relationship

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Some people cheat because they seek validation and attention outside a relationship. People who feel undervalued or unappreciated by their partners may seek affirmation to increase their self-esteem. However, seeking approval outside the partnership is a short-term fix that can harm trust and intimacy. There must be open communication and understanding to resolve this problem. Acknowledging each other's need for validation and working together is also necessary.

3. Stands you up on dates

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Being frequently turned down on dates by a partner is one reason individuals cheat. People may cheat when one spouse doesn't prioritize spending quality time with them and doesn't keep agreements. Imagine, for instance, that a person's romantic partner routinely changes arrangements at the last minute without providing any justification. This ongoing disappointment could lead to anger over time, separating them emotionally.

4. Forgets your birthdays

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Repeated disregard by one's partner on significant occasions like birthdays is a factor in cheating. Recurrent ignorance of key anniversaries might lead to resentment, eventually justifying seeking emotional fulfillment from outside sources. Some people attach a lot of importance to special occasions like anniversaries or birthdays, viewing them as chances to reaffirm the levels of devotion shared by couples. When such moments are overlooked or forgotten, it shows a lack of care or attention, which makes people look elsewhere for comfort or recognition.

5. Longing For Novelty Or Excitement

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Unfaithfulness in a relationship can be caused by one's desire for novelty and excitement. The routine and familiarity that comes with a long-term partnership can lead to boredom or monotony over time. It's critical to understand that seeking novelty outside a relationship might only be a short-term solution with long-term effects. Couples can add enthusiasm to their relationship by exploring exciting activities together. Also, couples should openly discuss their desires to rekindle the romance.

6. Experiencing Unresolved Issues

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Unresolved conflicts or issues within a relationship may create emotional tension. Couples who face communication issues, trust problems, or different values can feel frustrated, resentful, and distant. Some people may turn to cheating as a means of escape. It's critical to deal with these problems head-on through an open and sincere conversation, attentive listening, and a willingness to make concessions. The relationship will be strengthened as a result.

7. Feeling Neglected Or Ignored By Their Partner

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When a partner ignores or neglects you, it can cause deep emotional pain. If a partner is perceived as not paying attention or showing affection to them, this can cause feelings of loneliness and unworthiness. This feeling of being ignored can create a void, which individuals try to fill by looking for validation and connection from outside their relationship. You can share your feelings of neglect and pay attention to each other's worries.

8. A Desire For Revenge After Knowing Their Partner Has Cheated

          

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When a partner cheats or hurts them, the desire to get revenge can be destructive. Someone who feels hurt or betrayed by their partner may experience anger, pain, and a passion for revenge. Many other actions can be taken to exert revenge, like having affairs as payback. Couples can follow a healthier road to healing by reestablishing trust and addressing the underlying issues.

9. An Opportunity Presents Itself

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A situation in which unexpected circumstances challenge a person's commitment to their relationship is when an opportunity arises that cloud judgment. It can happen in moments of vulnerability when a partner is not present or in a tempting situation. Cravings for excitement, curiosity, or unfulfilled needs may fuel such errors in judgment. Although these errors in judgment may be damaging, they do not sum up a person's character. Owning up to your mistakes and being open and honest with your partner is critical. This will ensure a more dedicated and faithful connection and help you regain lost trust.

10. Feeling Trapped In A Relationship

                  

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Unfaithfulness can offer momentary comfort for someone who feels confined in their relationship. It develops when the person feels limited in their ability to pursue their personal goals, desires, or well-being in the relationship. Excessive manipulation, poor communication, unfulfilled needs, or different life trajectories are all potential causes of this experience. Frustration, grief, and resentment are all possible emotions brought on by being trapped. Partners should discuss their needs and want openly to build a healthy relationship.

11. Incompatibility in the relationship

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Couples unhappy with each other are more likely to commit infidelity because they don't share the same beliefs, interests, or goals in their relationships. This may cause them to feel unfulfilled and, as a result, look for companionship or intimacy outside their current relationship. For instance, it becomes easier for two partners to have a good relationship if their opposing life goals are solved.

12. Curiosity

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Curiosity can stem from a desire to experience new things or other connections. Acting on this curiosity, however, can put the relationship at risk and cause emotional damage to everyone involved. Partners should be transparent about their sentiments to comprehend each other's viewpoints and desires. Establishing a solid foundation of intimacy and trust is critical before attempting to satiate curiosity.

13. Substance Abuse

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Substance abuse or being under the influence can affect judgment, leading some people to make regrettable choices. People may lose their senses and become more prone to impulsive behavior when they are drunk or high. Due to impaired decision-making and lack of clarity regarding the consequences, infidelity may occur during such times. It will help if you adopt good coping strategies to deal with the difficulties in your relationship.

14. Lack Of Physical Affection Within The Relationship

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Unhappiness may occur in a relationship without physical contact. When a person in the relationship is not content with physical intimacy, they may look to other individuals for love and closeness, leading to cheating. The solution to this dilemma lies in an open line of communication. It fosters mutual respect and can reignite the romance and spark.

15. Fear Of Commitment

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Cheating can result from a fear of commitment or the desire to avoid a deep emotional connection. Some people may feel anxious or vulnerable at the thought of committing themselves to a long-term relationship. They can seek out chance encounters or brief relationships to avoid getting emotionally committed. With your partner, you must discuss the underlying source of the fear.

16. Difficulty Coping With Stress

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Some people with stress may turn to infidelity to escape or momentarily relieve their emotional problems. They might turn to an affair for distraction and solace during stressful or emotional times. However, cheating provides temporary relief that might complicate their lives and relationships. Addressing the root causes of stress is crucial, and seeking support from loved ones or professional assistance to overcome obstacles and build resilience in dealing with life's adversities.

17. Busy Lifestyle

       

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A relationship may experience a sense of detachment due to a hectic lifestyle and competing priorities, which might result in infidelity. Couples with busy schedules or little time to spend together may feel less emotionally connected. People may turn to others for sympathy and emotional gratification. Couples must prioritize quality time together and be honest about their demands.

18. Being In A Long-distance Relationship And Succumbing To Loneliness

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A long-distance relationship can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. Physical distance and limited face-to-face interaction can lead to a void that leaves individuals longing for connection and companionship. They may seek comfort and intimacy from outside of the relationship in moments of vulnerability. For a long-distance relationship to be stronger, both partners must communicate regularly, commit to each other and find ways to stay connected.

19. Childhood Traumas Or Attachment Issues

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Affection can be affected by childhood trauma or attachment issues. The emotional scars left by past experiences of neglect, abandonment, or unhealthy attachments can influence a person's behavior in romantic relationships. The effects of childhood trauma may lead people to seek validation, safety, or escape from infidelity. Therapy or counseling that addresses these traumas can help heal emotional wounds and foster a happy relationship. It can also build stronger relationships based on intimacy and trust.

20. Fear of aging or loss of attractiveness

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As people get older, insecurities about physical appearance tend to arise naturally, leading to internal conflicts that frequently lead to people cheating on their partners in search of approval from others. This makes them feel attractive despite perceived loss changes over time. It undermines self-esteem or confidence levels and affects the commitment that was initially upheld.

21. Escaping from a toxic or abusive relationship

          

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The desire to leave unhealthy or violent relationships is a crucial factor in why people may cheat. In such circumstances, people may feel stuck with no real escape. Cheating can be a coping mechanism or an escape from unhealthy relationship dynamics. For instance, someone who commits infidelity may develop emotional ties with others outside of their romantic relationship, giving them the sense of support they lack.

22. Low self-esteem

                  

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One potential element influencing cheating behavior is low self-esteem. With low self-esteem, individuals might seek reinforcement, affirmation, and validation outside their existing relationship. Cheating could be a strategy to gain confidence or recover a sense of worthiness. They may seek attention from others out of fear of abandonment or rejection.

23. Sex addiction

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One aspect that contributes to adultery is sexual addiction. People who have this disorder suffer from compulsive sexual behaviors and have a hard time resisting the urge to cheat. Sexual satisfaction is a biological need that motivates humans. Those who struggle with sex addiction may let this drive overcome their devotion to their partner and push them to seek fulfillment elsewhere.

24. Societal Expectations

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Infidelity can be caused by feeling pressured to conform to societal expectations of monogamy. Monogamy is often emphasized by society as an ideal relationship. However, not everyone will naturally adhere to this standard, leading to conflict within and feelings of shame or guilt when considering non-monogamy options. Couples need to have discussions about their views and preferences while navigating social constraints.

25. Influence From Friends Who Promote Cheating

          

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Individuals can make regrettable choices if they give in to peer pressure from friends who encourage infidelity. Individuals may feel pressured to conform to the group's values if they are influenced by friends who encourage or normalize infidelity. Communicating with them can enhance your commitment to monogamy and gain a deeper understanding of your partner's ideals.

26. Falling out of love

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It's possible that falling out of love is a factor in people's decision to cheat on their partners. Relationships experience ups and downs; occasionally, due to unresolved issues and poor communication, partners emotionally drift apart over time. People experience a weakening emotional bond and a lack of fulfillment in the relationship. As a result, they may look for affection elsewhere to rekindle old sentiments.

27. No gifts and dates

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People cheat because of the lack of presents and dates in a relationship. Physical manifestations, such as gifts, reflect thoughtfulness and can reassure people that they are valued in relationships when they feel ignored or unappreciated. The absence of presents and dates might eventually lead to unhappiness, leading partners to look for these deep connections elsewhere, endangering the relationship as a whole.

28. Narcissism or Desire for control

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The decision to cheat on a partner is also influenced by narcissism or a desire for control; those who exhibit narcissistic tendencies crave adulation but also demand control over others, making them more inclined to do so than not. These people engage in engaging behaviors like extramarital affairs because they believe doing so would maintain their dominance or superior status. It is because they feel entitled due to feeling dominated and superior.

29. Unrealistic Expectations

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Unrealistic expectations about your partner or relationship can lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction. Unfulfillment makes some people seek out what they feel is missing in other relationships, which can lead to infidelity. A relationship can be more harmonious by practicing open and honest communication and being willing and able to compromise.

30. Lack of consequences

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Cheating is frequently attributed to the absence of repercussions. People are more prone to cheat when they think there will be no consequences. This could be due to societal standards that accept or ignore infidelity or a lack of surveillance or accountability in romantic relationships. The importance of trust and loyalty decreases when there are no apparent consequences for cheating on one's relationship.

31. Top signs they might be cheating: they've changed their habits

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There are many reasons people might change their habits, such as if they have fitness goals, have a new job or any other lifestyle choice. But if you can't think of a single reason why they've suddenly changed their daily habits - and they don't give you a proper explanation - this could be a sign that they're making time or excuses for something else in their life...

32. They leave the house a little earlier/get home later

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Another huge change in their daily routine might also be to either leave the house a lot earlier in the mornings, get home much later at night - or maybe even both. They might not give you a good explanation as to why, or maybe they lie and say their working schedule has changed. All this suggests is that they're possibly meeting with someone early mornings/late nights.

33. They're taking a lot more 'business trips'

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Business trip has to be the quintessential code for potential cheating. You might never have known them to take a single business trip in the time you've been with them, and their job role hasn't changed whatsoever, but suddenly they have regular business trips they need to go on - and, of course, they'll be out of contact during this time because they'll be 'busy with work'.

34. They also seem to be working a lot of overtime...

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There are a lot of excuses that can be made that center around work for cheaters, and alongside business trips, this could also be a whole lot of overtime. If there's no obvious reason for it - like you need extra cash over the holidays or they're working for a promotion - it can be suspicious why they'd be willingly doing so much 'overtime' when they don't need to...

35. They have a ton of family events coming up

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And suddenly their schedule is full of a ton of family events, like birthdays, anniversaries or holiday season celebrations, but for some reason they're family events that you're not able to attend because you're not invited - or maybe the birthday party conveniently falls on a day when they know you're working or have other plans you can't change. They also have a ton of new family members you knew nothing about.

36. They've been spending money, but on what?

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Have you noticed that they're spending money but they won't talk about what, and you definitely haven't received any gifts or seen anything new around their home? They might have told you they can't afford a lot of things this month because they've already spent a lot but you can't think of them having bought anything that you know about. It could be a sign their money is going on maintaining the other person!

37. They have more than one online account for things

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Some people do have more than one account for things like social media, if they have specific interests, or maybe want a business account and a more private personal account. Sometimes those things make sense, but sometimes they don't - if your partners other accounts are secret and you only found out about them accidentally, with no explanation as to why they'd need another account...

38. They're taking care of themselves a lot more

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We all have that moment in a relationship where you try really hard with your looks and grooming at first when you're still dating and then you get into that happy comfortable stage where unshaven and lounge clothes are the place to be. If you were at that stage but now your partner is suddenly taking care of themselves more and keeping up with grooming, who are they trying to impress?

39. Unexplained credit card bills

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Credit cards are the obvious choice for someone who is cheating, and especially if their normal bank cards are linked to a shared account with their partner, or have online bills that can be seen. You might have somehow found out that they've been spending a lot on their credit card - maybe you share it and were told the limit has been reached - and you don't know what they've been spending it on...

40. You can smell someone else

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When you spend a lot of time around someone in close contact, it can be that you end up having their aftershave or perfume on your clothes, or just a subtle whiff of it on you or in your car. A lot of the time we also struggle to smell things on ourselves if we're used to it - like our house smell only other people can pick up - so you might have caught a new smell on him when he comes home.

41. They buy gifts that you don't see

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You might have caught them out buying gifts at some point, that definitely don't end up on your table (think the heartbreaking Love Actually scene with the necklace) so who are they buying gifts for? If it was innocent, they'd just tell you, like their friend or their mom. But if they haven't explained the wrapped gift you found, or the gift receipts, it can be a sign.

42. A few suspect items

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This really depends on how good they are at cleaning up after themselves and hiding what they're doing, but it's likely they're going to slip up at some point. You might have found a restaurant receipt under their car seat for a date you know they said they were busy at work. Or someone else's clothes, lipstick, maybe even the worst thing you can find, a c*ndom...

43. They've joined a gym

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Now of course this isn't suspicious in itself if someone is just trying to be healthy, but it all depends on how they go about it. Have they always been a person that refuses to go to the gym with you, or at all? Do they exercise all the time at home or prefer to go out on runs? If they've joined a gym, it could be a few reasons: they're trying to take care of themselves for a new love interest, they're going to use the gym as an excuse for why they're out of the house cheating, or they're going to use the 'gym membership fee' as a reason for their spending on their other partner...

44. They keep getting missed calls from 'unknown'

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We've all had those pesky annoying missed call unknown numbers from spammers or people telling us some random outgoing is overdue. It's not your partner's fault if they're getting calls from unknown numbers, but the suspicion can set in when they get them A LOT. Spammy calls aren't going to happen a few times a day, every day - so who's calling them, and why have they put their number as private?

45. You're less physically intimate with each other

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There are a lot of reasons why physical intimacy and s*x can go down the drain in a relationship, especially if you've hit a hurdle. It doesn't necessarily mean they're cheating, but it could be a big indicator if other suspicions are on the table. They could be less willing to have s*x with you because they're getting their needs met elsewhere with a secret partner.

46. Suspicious text messages

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People who are cheating are going to make sure they're very careful about messages and notifications popping up on their phone, so it's likely they've asked the person not to message at all, or turned their notifications off. But for whatever reason you might have spotted certain messages from a name or number you don't know, with the messages appearing to be in code.

47. They're defensive and evasive

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They have absolutely no valid reason to get defensive or evade your questions if you're just chit chatting about the everyday. If they tell you they're going on a business trip and you ask them where or when and they get super defensive, it just means they're hiding something, lying and probably feeling guilty about doing so, so they just lash out defensively.

48. You just know they're lying

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You should always trust your gut in a relationship, and when it's someone you love, you usually can just tell deep down when they're being different or not being completely honest with you. You might have a gut feeling that something is up or you might be completely convinced that they're cheating. Sometimes you just know, and don't need physical proof.

49. They have a very short temper these days

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This can also come down to the being defensive and evasive about everything that's going on. Guilt can often make a person lash out angrily and blame others because they know what they're doing is wrong. They might have a short temper because you ask them about their overtime, their late nights, why they're spending so much... and they know they have to lie, so they've developed a temper about the whole, horrible mess.

50. They HATE surprises

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Maybe they've always been this way since the first day you met them, in which case that makes sense. But has your partner never been averse to a surprise birthday or you turning up randomly at their house? Did they used to be ecstatic to see you when they didn't know you were coming round, but now they're angry? If they don't want you surprising them by turning up unexpectedly or calling them, it's because there's a risk of you interrupting something.