Abstract
Marital infidelity is a serious problem because it can lead to separation and even divorce. Yet, little is known about racial and gender differences in levels of extramarital sex in the United States in the last three decades (1991 to 2018). This study represents the first analysis of the racial and gender differences in levels and determinants of extramarital sex in the United States. We use data from all the 15 waves of the General Social Survey in which respondents were asked if they have ever had sex with someone other than their husband or wife when they were married. Descriptive and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were conducted to determine the levels and determinants of racial and gender differences in extramarital sex in the last three decades. There are small changes in percent of extramarital sex between 1991 (14.63 percent) and 2018 (16.48 percent). However, despite some fluctuations observed across the 15 General Social Survey waves, the prevalence of extramarital sex has remained significantly higher for blacks compared to whites, and higher also for men than women. The results show the importance of race and gender in explaining extramarital sexual behavior in the United States. We discuss these findings in relation to previous studies and suggest directions for future research.
Highlights
Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of extramarital relations (Campbell & Wright, 2010); yet, empirical studies and media reports indicate that extramarital sexual (EMS) relations are more common these days
In line with the opportunity theory, which assumes that the availability of different types of goods will augment the opportunity to use more than one type of commodity (Fair, 1978: 47), we argue that the place of residence is associated with the likelihood of EMS because it affects the opportunities to form sexual relationships with other sexual partners where one lives
The first year when the question was included in the General Social Survey (GSS) questionnaire, 14.63% of ever-married Americans reported having had EMS
Summary
Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of extramarital relations (Campbell & Wright, 2010); yet, empirical studies and media reports indicate that extramarital sexual (EMS) relations are more common these days. Wiederman (1997) used data from the 1994 wave of the General Social Survey (GSS) to examine the lifetime prevalence of EMS, as well as the incidence of EMS during the past year. The study found that 12% of women and 23% of men reported having committed infidelity at some point in their marriage; and the incidence of EMS in the past year was 1.7% for women and 4.1% for men. Conclusion: The results show the importance of race and gender in explaining extramarital sexual behavior in the United States. We discuss these findings in relation to previous studies and suggest directions for future research
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