5 Sneaky Reasons Why Infidelity Can Happen Even in Happy Marriages

Do you need an excuse to be unfaithful? No matter how great your married relationship is, there is always the temptation to cheat. Here are five reasons why infidelity can happen even in the healthiest and happiest marriages:

The free ride is available.
Although the temptation to cheat can be as strong in men as it is in women, more men become unfaithful because of the prospect of a guilt-free extramarital fling. Clinical psychologist Dr. Joyce Berry likens infidelity in men to a chocolate cake on the kitchen table. A man walks in, sees the cake and, even if he isn’t hungry, takes a piece and eats it– all because it is available.

Even if their marriages are happy, some men will take an attractive bait because it’s there and because it seems to be heading their way. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to become unfaithful because of an unhappy marriage.

The other person is nice and starting a friendship seems safe.
American actor Bernie Mac once said on The Oprah Show, ‘Nobody fights for nothing no more.’ when asked how he and his wife kept their marriage alive. This is true to some extent in many marriages, even happy ones.

When people have the life they want – a great marriage, happy kids, an excellent career – it’s easy to become complacent. This is why they never see an extramarital affair coming even if it stared them in the face. When someone nice comes along, a friendly co-worker or a sympathetic friend or an old high school acquaintance, starting a friendship will seem harmless. The problem is, it could spark and blossom into an affair.

You and/or your spouse were sexually active prior to the marriage.
It isn’t always the case, but people who enjoyed a rather active sexual life before they got married are more likely to become unfaithful. It could be the satisfaction they get from multiple partners or the thrill in the variety of lovers they had that pushes them to pursue an affair while enjoying the benefits of a happy marriage at the same time.

You feel you can get away with it.
Although your marriage is happy, you feel that a little infidelity on the side ‘can’t hurt’, as long as your spouse doesn’t find out. Adventurous, thrill-seeking, conquest-minded, you prefer the excitement of the chase and opt to participate in it, believing that your spouse won’t be hurt by what he or she doesn’t know.

You have emotional issues.
There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, although people can be very happy in imperfect marriages. However, problems can occur, such as when one spouse is too volatile or have desires that, for some reason, remain unfulfilled. This is when infidelity can happen, never mind that your marriage is happy to begin with.

References used:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infidelity/MH00110
http://www.survivinginfidelity911.com/
http://www.beyondaffairs.com/articles/rebuilding_a_marriage.h