240 Paper
Demographic Characteristics and their Effects on Attitudes Regarding Sexual Infidelity
Siobahn Dermody
15 May 2013
Soc 240
Sexual infidelity or adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than a lawful spouse (thefreedictionary.com). Overall, 90% Americans disapprove of sexual infidelity in marriage; however, 15-25% of married men and women reported having intercourse with someone outside of their marriage (Treas & Giesen 2000; Wiederman 1997). According to Prins, Buunk, and Van Yperpen people in unhappy relationships report a greater desire and involvement in extramarital sex (Dollahite & Lambert 2007, cited Prins Buunk, & Van Yperpen 1993). The topic of sexual infidelity is important to research and discuss because several studies suggest that extramarital affairs are the number one cause of divorce (Dollahite & Lambert 2007). There are three types of extramarital relationships: 1) emotional involvement (commonly associated with women), 2) sexual involvement (commonly associated with men), and 3) combined type, which includes sexual and emotional involvement (Glass & Wright 1992). According to Johnson (1970) and Murstein (1974), there are two main justification factors for extramarital sex, individual motivation, (sexual reasoning) and marital dissatisfaction (Glass & Wright 1992).
With the use of national surveys, several studies have identified demographic risk factors for sexual infidelity including: gender, age, race, education, socioeconomic status, and religiosity (Dollahite & Lambert 2007; Treas & Giesen 2000; Wiederman 1997). Several studies also show that sexual infidelity permissiveness is linked to liberal political and religious ideologies (Weis & Slosnerick 1981; Dollahite & Lambert 2007). Dollahite and Lambert (2007) state in their study that high religious influences are generally the strongest predictor of less permissive sexual attitudes, primarily within Christianity,
Siobahn Dermody
15 May 2013
Soc 240
Sexual infidelity or adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than a lawful spouse (thefreedictionary.com). Overall, 90% Americans disapprove of sexual infidelity in marriage; however, 15-25% of married men and women reported having intercourse with someone outside of their marriage (Treas & Giesen 2000; Wiederman 1997). According to Prins, Buunk, and Van Yperpen people in unhappy relationships report a greater desire and involvement in extramarital sex (Dollahite & Lambert 2007, cited Prins Buunk, & Van Yperpen 1993). The topic of sexual infidelity is important to research and discuss because several studies suggest that extramarital affairs are the number one cause of divorce (Dollahite & Lambert 2007). There are three types of extramarital relationships: 1) emotional involvement (commonly associated with women), 2) sexual involvement (commonly associated with men), and 3) combined type, which includes sexual and emotional involvement (Glass & Wright 1992). According to Johnson (1970) and Murstein (1974), there are two main justification factors for extramarital sex, individual motivation, (sexual reasoning) and marital dissatisfaction (Glass & Wright 1992).
With the use of national surveys, several studies have identified demographic risk factors for sexual infidelity including: gender, age, race, education, socioeconomic status, and religiosity (Dollahite & Lambert 2007; Treas & Giesen 2000; Wiederman 1997). Several studies also show that sexual infidelity permissiveness is linked to liberal political and religious ideologies (Weis & Slosnerick 1981; Dollahite & Lambert 2007). Dollahite and Lambert (2007) state in their study that high religious influences are generally the strongest predictor of less permissive sexual attitudes, primarily within Christianity,