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The Quinnipiac Chronicle

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The Quinnipiac Chronicle

The Student News Site of Quinnipiac University

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

    Why do men cheat?

    In a world of temptation and glamour, it seems cheating is becoming as popular as divorce. The past two years have been filled with high-profile adulterers. And just when we think the scandals have ended, another one plasters the covers of every gossip magazine.

    The list of philanderers who have cheated recently includes Tiger Woods, former Sen. John Edwards and most recently, Sandra Bullock’s husband of five years, Jesse James.

    Some indiscretions were more surprising than others. “Mr. Family Values,” Edwards’ mistress, Rielle Hunter, just recently talked publicly in an interview with GQ about their affair. Hunter and Edwards have a daughter who is now 2, conceived while Edwards’ wife was battling  breast cancer.

    The recent shocker is James’ affair with Michelle “Bombshell” McGee, a tattoo model. Many were in awe of the relationship between Bullock and James after she moved him to tears with her speech at the Academy Awards. It seems as if James is following in Tiger’s footsteps, since mistress No. 4’s attorney has just told to E! that she has “hundreds of texts and e-mails and photos” to prove her claim.

    The obvious question and perhaps the most perplexing one: “What were these men thinking?” Why do men cheat, especially those men who have beautiful wives and seemingly enviable lives?

    In a study conducted by marriage counselor M. Gary Neuman, it’s estimated that one in 2.7 men will cheat. According to Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist just recently featured on NBC’s “Today,” most men cheat for the thrill and experimentation of new and different sex, while others may cheat because they fear intimacy and vulnerability. Therefore, they have an affair to maintain power within the relationship.

    “I think some people cheat just for the sake of drama, or because they are unhappy with their relationship,” said freshman Neil Ravin. “But if you think about cheating, it’s obvious you should break up.”

    “I almost think that guys cheat to see just how far they can go without getting caught,” said freshman Danielle DeLeon. “It’s dangerous. But then again, they might feel insecure and try to make up for it by hooking up with lots of different girls.”

    When it comes to men with power or fame, such as Woods or Edwards, it’s undeniable that these are men women want. That means more opportunity and more temptation. These men also have control over their careers, they are successful and they have everything going for them – they think they are entitled. They are on a winning streak, so why would cheating stop them? Maybe they just do it because they can.

    “I would only cheat if I knew we were going to break up and my girlfriend had cheated on me already,” Ravin said.

    Biologists take a different approach, believing men cheat simply because of the Darwinism instinct to “spread their seed.” We all know Adam couldn’t resist. So were men born to cheat? Is it just their nature?

    This is a question that many of us don’t want to face, because it could lead women to believe that infidelity is inevitable and that regardless of attempts to keep a relationship strong, all efforts would remain pointless.

    “Cheating just isn’t right,” said freshman Katie Glass. “If you want to be with me, be with me. Don’t waste my time.”

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      Sean KelleherApr 19, 2010 at 3:26 pm

      Women, of course, do not cheat. I await an article on feminine infidelity.

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