According to Her: Top 10 Reasons Why Women Cheat

Hollywood has made a mess of focusing on men cheating on their significant others, but what about the ladies? They aren’t innocent either.

Last year, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson’s relationship hit a bump in the road when she was caught getting close to Rupert Sanders, director of Snow White and the Huntsman.

It is often assumed that men cheat for physical reasons and women cheat for emotional ones, but is there any truth to it?

After all, Meg Ryan cheated on then-husband Dennis Quaid with Russell Crowe, and according to her, it was payback for him cheating on her throughout her marriage.

We asked 83 students what they thought about these common reasons women cheat in relationships. Each participant ranked the reasons in order from 1 to 10, and we separated the results based on gender.

Here are the top 10 reasons why women cheat, according to the ladies themselves:

10. It makes them feel like a “bad girl.”

The entertainment industry plays a major role in this one; “bad girls” are made out to look like the people to be. The media makes cheating seem like the cool thing to do, and many women believe cheating on their significant others will make them look like a badass. In reality, it makes them look like the exact opposite. A 22-year-old business major at the University of South Florida said women in the Hollywood spotlight seem to think they can keep the public’s attention by acting this way. “When having this bad girl independency mindset, they still feel as if they can do whatever want and not get in trouble for it and still be loved,” she said.
What the Men Thought: #10

9. They need an exit strategy (They want to end the relationship)

If the woman is unhappy in the relationship but is afraid to end it herself, she may see cheating on her beau as the only way out. It’s also possible she want to avoid being left out in the cold – to dump before being dumped. Although it may seem like the cowardly thing to do, it’s a way out regardless. “She knows that if she gets someone else, he’s going to leave her,” said a 21-year-old anthropology major at the University of Florida. “It makes her feel as though it’s his fault if he leaves… not hers.”
What the Men Thought: #9

8. Curiosity

Women who don’t have experience with other people can sometimes cheat on their boyfriends or girlfriends because they’re curious about what else is out there – especially if they’ve only been intimate with one person.
What the Men Thought: #5

7. They want more intimacy

Sometimes sex gets predictable. If a woman is tired of the same old thing, she’ll want to find companionship elsewhere. She may just want some new excitement. Women like the chase, too. Our source from USF says if a woman is looking to spice up her relationship, she may look for a physical encounter with someone else.
What the Women Thought: #8

6. Self-esteem or lack thereof

Women often seek reassurance, and being wanted by more than one man (or woman) makes them feel better about themselves. If a woman feels unattractive to her significant other and someone else comes along spewing out compliments left and right, she may begin to feel better about herself around him/her. Another possibility is that the woman is seeking sex as validation of her significant other’s feelings. If she isn’t getting that, she may look for it somewhere else.
What the Men Thought: Tied for #7

5. Alcohol

Vision is no longer 20/20 when alcohol comes into play, and it can play a huge role in how women act around men. Like most people, women tend to get a little excited when their drunk. Unfortunately, this may also mean doing something they regret in the morning.
What the Men Thought: #1

4. Revenge

When a woman finds her man (or woman) cheating on her, it’s a natural instinct to feel as though they need to even the score. Jealously doesn’t help either. If a woman feels as though her significant other is even flirting with someone else, she may take it upon herself to flirt with someone else, too.
What the Men Thought: Tied for #7

3. Unexpected Temptation (TIE)

Sometimes the heat of the moment is just too hot, especially if we’re talking about a long-distance relationship. Our source from the University of Florida said if the girl’s significant other is out of reach, she’ll be more tempted to look for physical satisfaction elsewhere. “If she’s out on the town and sees a good looking guy who is interested in her, there’s no telling where it might lead,” she said.
What the Women Thought: Tied for #4

3. They don’t want to break up. But they want another person, too. (TIE)

This is what we like to call wanting to have your cake and eat it, too. A woman wants to experiment with others to see what they have to offer regardless of whether its better than what she already has. She’d have double everything – double love, double sex, double relationship.
What the Men Thought: Tied for #4

1. They feel neglected or unappreciated

Lack of communication and affection are two of the most common ways men (or women) can make their girls feel undervalued. Not having these needs met make some women feel as though they are. When a couple begins to date, they often go through that “honeymoon stage.” But once that wears off, women can feel as though they aren’t their significant other’s first priority. “It’ll make her feel like more of a woman; she’ll have more power,” said our source from the University of Florida.
What the Men Thought: #2

Men and women agreed only slightly on the first few reasons women tend to cheat. Men thought alcohol was the No. 1 reason women are unfaithful. Another major difference was the ranking of Revenge. Women said it was the No. 4 reason they cheated; meanwhile, men thought it tied for the No. 7 reason. Is it safe to say men are little confused when it comes to why women cheat? Probably; but every relationship is different. That being said, not all women cheat.

As college students, we sometimes find ourselves in sticky situations whether we’re single or in a relationship. It’s up to you to have enough self-respect and self-control to not do anything to hurt the one you love or do something you’ll regret later.

If you think your woman is cheating, it’s best to make sure you are there for her enough on an emotional level – listening and paying attention are key.

At the end of the day, whether you’re male or female, cheating is only a temporary solution. It may seem like a good idea at the time, but if you’re cheating on your boyfriend, then you’re either over your current relationship or there is a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Have a story you’d like to share or think we forgot something? Let us know by leaving a comment below!