Specialists have provided insight into the ages when someone might be prone to infidelity, the reasons behind it, and the warning signs to be aware of.
Maintaining a relationship is challenging, and it’s normal for couples to encounter difficulties along the way.
These challenges can sometimes lead to infidelity, or conversely, infidelity might cause a rough patch in the relationship; in any case, cheating is not rare.
Based on data from Statista, approximately 21 percent of participants in the US confessed to having cheated on a partner (either current or previous) in 2021.
In another study, the Institute of Family Studies found that men are more inclined to cheat. According to the 2017 General Social Survey, 20 percent of men compared to 13 percent of women reported having had sexual relations with someone other than their spouse while married.
While the connection between cheating and gender has been frequently discussed, the specific ages at which infidelity is more likely remain somewhat unclear.
Albert Arnaiz, who describes himself as an ‘infidelity coach’ and authored “How To Be Unfaithful Without Getting Caught,” suggests that people are more likely to cheat at ages 29, 39, and 49.
However, Albertina Fisher, a seasoned relationship and sex therapist, argues that affairs can occur at any age. She highlights 29 as a potential risk period, as it coincides with the time many couples might marry or have their first child.
Fisher, speaking to The Telegraph, mentioned men dealing with the transition to fatherhood, saying: “It’s quite normal, for example, for a father to feel pushed out. The couple has become three and that might act as a trigger for a father to have affairs.”
Regarding the age of 39, intimacy coach Nicola Foster suggests it may be a critical period for those who ‘played the field in their 20s, married in their early to mid-30s’ and, nearing 40, might question whether their spouse is truly the only person with whom they will have sexual relations for the rest of their life.
“Both men and women can feel stifled like that, and often there will be children involved,” she stated.
Approaching 49, individuals might face the challenges of middle age.
This is when you might have been with your partner for a considerable amount of time and may start feeling bored or as though you’ve outgrown each other.
Around this age, many women also begin to experience menopause, which can lead to complications in the bedroom.
Private Investigator Aaron Bond shared with The Sun some key indicators to watch for if you’re concerned about a partner’s infidelity.
One sign is if they become inseparable from their phone.
“If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful,” Bond explained.
Additionally, they might begin placing their phone face down unexpectedly.
They may also share less about their day with you, as this minimizes interaction and helps them avoid feelings of guilt regarding their unfaithfulness.
Bond also points out that changes in libido can be a warning sign. He noted: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating.”