Money is definitely not the only thing keeping men happy these days. A new study reveals that men who are married to women who earn more than them are a lot more likely to cheat on their wives. The research, presented at the American Sociological Association, shows that the smaller the paycheck men bring home the more likely it is that they will be unfaithful to their spouse.
A recent article from MSNBC reports that the study shows men are 5 times more likely than men who make equal pay to cheat on their wives if they are completely financially dependent on them. One is reminded of the recent split between Jesse James and Sandra Bullock after allegations that he cheated. It may not be a coincidence that he cheated just when Bullock was at the top of her career and bringing home more money than ever before.
So, why would these guys step out on their successful wives? Conductor of the study, Christin Munsch, believes it may have something to do with men having insecurities about not fitting into the idea of what a man should be. Munsch says, “Having multiple sexual partners may be an attempt to restore gender identity in response to these threats. In other words, for men, sex (outside their relationship) may be an attempt to compensate for feelings of inadequacy with respect to gender identity.”
There are of course other theories to explain why men cheat on their high earning wives. Christine Whelan, author of “Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women”, thinks it might just be something as simple as time spent together. If a woman is making most or all of the money in a relationship, she’s probably not home that much which leaves their husbands with a lot of time to think about cheating.
But there’s no need to worry if you’re the one bringing home the bacon. The study also shows that over a six year period only 7 percent of all the men involved in the study cheated and somewhere around 3 percent of the women stepped out. Other factors like religion, education, and relationship satisfaction entered into the outcomes as well.
What do you think of the latest research showing men are more likely to cheat if their wives have a bigger paycheck than them?
I don't think there's much to this claim...just another excuse for a cheating man!
texasgirl87::
on Aug 16, 2010
This is another excuse for men to cheat. Grow a pair and be faithful
wythout::
on Aug 17, 2010
As this might be true, I agree with the the previous comments, another excuse for men to cheat. It has always been "ok" for men to cheat, but catch a women doing it and she is simply pursecuted (bad wife, mother, person, how dare she). The man cheating on the other hand, is slapped on the hand and the wife is expected to suck it up and move on. Just my opinion.
sweet76sassy::
on Aug 17, 2010
don't we all know by now that men only think with only one head!!
BeautyBlush::
on Aug 18, 2010
Women and men have the same desires and attractions, so men need to stop with the excuses and have some loyalty.
newyearsknight::
on Aug 18, 2010
Because they can, the wife is away, the men will play!
hippychick::
on Aug 19, 2010
When a man cheats on a women he will leave her the same way he found her with somebody else.
tablumenthal::
on Aug 20, 2010
I agree with the first comments. It all depends on the man, I don't think it has anything to do with his wife and her financial position.
Leisha::
on Aug 22, 2010
The article is silly. All men cheat. Its that simple, it does not matter how much or little their partner makes. Men are men and they cheat. Its unfortunate but true. It wont stop until we as a people wake up and realize what we are fighting against and we can agree to meet in the middle somewhere.
redshoesnob42::
on Aug 25, 2010
I totally belive the study. Men who feel inadequate in one area try to compensate in another. The popular culture tells men that they are "men" if they can attract many women. What I want to know is when are women going to stop sleeping with married men? Its hard for hubby to sleep around if women say NO!
