21st-century infidelity
Are men and women cheating more these days?
Look out, husbands and wives, said Tara Parker-Pope in The New York Times. A handful of new studies suggest that marital infidelity is "on the rise, particularly among older men and young couples." Women are catching up to men in the cheating department—and young people may have a relaxed idea of what's "normal" thanks to the ready availability of pornography on the Internet.
So, kids are upholding the tradition, said Sheila McClear in Gawker, and women are proving they can be "equal-opportunity" jerks. It sounds like what these big new studies are really saying is that not much has changed—"both men and women cheat on their spouses all the time."
Another study reached some conclusions that might be a little more instructive, said Canwest News Service. Researchers at the University of Montreal found that people who tend to hide their feelings, "avoid intimacy, and change the subject whenever the topic of moving in or marriage comes up" are most likely to cheat. So if your future spouse clams up when talk turns intimate, "you might want to watch out."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Conservatism is rising. Just look at the music.
In the spotlight The radio reflects American culture
-
Brooklyn vs. the Beckhams: trouble in paradise
In the Spotlight Scion of the Beckham clan and billionaire heiress wife Nicola Peltz staged an elaborate vow renewal – and none of his family were on the guest list