Look. He's lonely and here's a good-looking lady throwing herself at him.

[Spike89]

65. I agree, seen your references elsewhere, but have slight reservations

I do believe the majority of people do maintain their vows, but I'm always leery of self-reported percentage studies for "illicit" behaviors. As I've posted before, there has been and continues to be a double standard between men and women that makes it somewhat more difficult for women to admit to infidelity.

People do lie, and when they have (or feel they have) more to lose, they are more likely to lie. My guess is that percentages of women who have cheated is probably about the same as men and both are likely in the 25% area. We'll never really know because many people are in total denial that what they did was actually cheating, and some will just never tell the truth.

It also isn't clear from the studies if "cheating" is strictly breaking your personal vows, or if it includes being the "other woman" or "other man". Also, is it "cheating" if you're in an open/swinger relationship?

I actually don't think it matters what percentages are. What really matters are the expectations and responsibilities that partners agree on and how those understandings relate into trust and respect for each other. I've been in and witnessed some truly horrible relationships that didn't have fidelity issues and known "cheaters" that had strong relationships. It is a much more complicated world and people vary much more than we generally admit to ourselves.