What would cause a man to cheat on a woman?

Question

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

In most cases, it's going to be being selfish and self-centered (the same for when women cheat). People who are selfish and self-centered lack boundaries and don't take commitments seriously, prioritizing their moment-by-moment happiness over everything else.

In rare cases, I think a few men will have a woman hit on him when he's in a moment of weakness - maybe he's been struggling or hasn't been feeling good about himself or was depressed or whatever, and they'll cheat almost literally without thinking. They didn't seek it out, but when the opportunity came to him, he just didn't think - he just went with it. In these cases, the guy will almost always immediately regret what he did and will confess. Again, this isn't something he will have planned or pursued - it's kind of like finding a wad of cash in the street; it's not something you can plan on happening. As I said, this situation is rare, and any guy who did any planning, pursuing, or intentionally hid his activity would not fall in this group. I'm not excusing these guys either, I'm just saying that there IS *some* difference between this situation and a guy who intentionally went out to try to meet someone or who arranged a hookup behind his girl's back.

If you have a man who is selfish and self-centered, he's going to cheat and there's literally nothing you can do to stop him, because sooner or later, he'll be away from you for some period of time, and he'll end up seeking out someone else. There's no point in trying to change him (you can't') or hoping he'll change - he is who he is and cheating and being selfish is part of his nature, and you either accept that or you don't get involved with him.

The guy who had one weak moment MAY be worth forgiving - obviously that's up to the woman and the situation and his attitude (is he clearly regretful and did he immediately confess?). Someone who is sincerely regretful isn't likely to repeat the behavior. That's one of the reasons there's a difference between this guy and a serial cheater.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

My dad cheated on my mom and for a really long time I was mad at him and blamed him for it. I still think cheating is awful and you should never do it, but the more I thought about it the more I understand why my dad did it. It was an unhealthy marriage very early on and my mom was frankly emotionally abusive. I remember her slapping my dad in the face multiple times and he never laid a single finger on her in his life. She blamed him for multiple things that weren't his fault.

She spent money on things she shoved in the attic and never saw again in weeks after buying it we're talking thousands of dollars in wasted money. My mom was always distant and checked out of the family me included when I was in my second year of high school. She took a job a state away and dipped barely ever calling or doing anything family related. My dad was wrong to have an affair, but my mom practically drove him into someone else's arms with her greed, neglect and anger she constantly treated him with.

in my opinion cheating is the 4th worst thing you can do to a person but honestly after all the years of shit my mom put my dad through, she deserved to hurt to an extent and in a lot of ways it was her fault as much as my dad's.

anticonformist00 · Accepted Answer

Why Do Men Cheat? (The Reasons Will Surprise You)"

We always hear "once a cheater, always a cheater" – but research shows infidelity is more complicated. Here are 3 unexpected psychological reasons:

🔍 The "Emotional Disconnect" Factor
(Not just sex! 48% of men cite emotional neglect as the trigger)

💼 The "Power Paradox"
(High-status men cheat more... but so do men feeling powerless in their relationships)

🧠 The "Novelty Addiction" Brain Hook
(MRI scans show cheating lights up the same areas as drug cravings)

My shocker: A male friend confessed he cheated after his wife’s cancer diagnosis – not because he didn’t love her, but because "I couldn’t handle being the strong one."

Your turn: What’s the dumbest excuse you’ve heard for cheating?
Can someone cheat and still love their partner?
(Scientifically-proven ways to affair-proof your relationship: Read this)

Screenwriter · Accepted Answer

There are a dozen reasons. A big one: His father did the same to his mother, so he thinks it's appropriate, privileged behavior of a powerful man. Think of Joe Kennedy and his cheating sons!!!

He's easily bored and wants to move on to a new and exciting woman instead of deepening his current relationship. Sex is entertainment, not pair bonding.

He wants to end the relationship but is too lazy and childish to directly say it's over for him. So, he cheats to break up.

That's my top three. A fourth might be he's a serial monogamist, or not a monogamist at all and feels he should have and deserves any and every woman he desires.

That's all I can come up with. Psychologists and psychiatrists probably have studies on the subject, but it all adds up to pain on the part of the person cheated on.

HawkPerception · Answer

While there are no justifiable reasons for cheating in a relationship, there are definitely reasons that cause it.

One is a lack of sexual fulfillment. If you partner is not willing to fulfill your sexual desires, it's not like it goes away. It also makes a man feel rejected/not accepted.

Second is a lack of compatibility. When you're in a relationship and you realize, other people make you much happier than your partner does (which is something you should have figured out before you started the relationship) and you fear being alone, you might test the waters out with others while in a relationship.

Regardless of any of your reasons for cheating though, one thing remains clear... you're a scumbag.

SteveSmith1985 · Answer

I think the cause is his being the kind of guy willing to cheat. I think that's the only cause. Looking for causes implies there might be some valid reason or justification for being cheated on. There are no reasons. There are just people willing to cheat, and those who aren't. It's a character trait. (In my opinion)

Finchie40 · Answer

Primarily Lack of intimacy and affection in the relationship , the same thing can occur for females’ as well

AviatorTom · Answer

Most cheating is the result of opportunity. So, what could cause a man to cheat would be an opportunity with another woman.

Vesuvius87 · Answer

Selfishness and lack of commitment

Jove79 · Answer

Guys are builders, helpers, fixers, we like routines, we like the same thing every day and don’t get bored. We are machines. Most men don’t cheat, and if they do, they’ve been cheated on and the cycle repeats.

But there are guys who cheat because they’re assholes.

absolutely no reason to cheat on someone. If you are not happy, talk about it or break up then go with someone else.

Woman: being lonely, insecure, unhappy, bad friends. If she has friends who cheat, she’ll cheat too.. birds of a feather flock together. A lot of Women are bad at communicating, so instead of speaking up, she’ll rather find someone who will listen and get pounded at the same time

Anonymous · Answer

A lot of things. Maybe she doesn’t treat him well. Maybe the sex has stopped. She might have stopped doing a lot of things sexually like a lot of women do since they get married. Maybe she just doesn’t have sex w him at all. No intimacy. Maybe she’s the one who’s slipping away. A lot of women tend to divorce their husbands even if he was perfect as they say, but she just want feeling him anymore. Could also be he’s just one of those men who will cheat regardless of the situation. Maybe she cheated on him first. Maybe they’re just together for the sake of a child. There’s a lot of reasons. I’m not saying that those reasons are all legitimate reasons. Maybe he wants a divorce but it’s cheaper to keep her as the saying goes.

OneViewpoint · Answer

It spans a wide range of human behavior.

The guy's a dirtbag.

The guy isn't getting intimacy from his wife.

The guy is bored and feeling like his life is slipping away.

The guy's wife is cheating on him.

The guys wife doesn't respect him.

The guy doesn't respect his wife.

An opportunity just presented itself and it was an ego boost.

The guy's wife has totally let herself go to the point he doesn't find her attractive.

genericname85 · Answer

that question is kind of trying to reverse accountability. nothing "causes" a man to cheat. he cheats. it's his decision. his expression of terrible character. whatever you should not make a man with a proper character cheat ever. that's not acceptable.

breaking up and then fucking someone else is the proper way to do it. so what you really should ask is what could drive a man to not want you anymore.

Nikki1989 · Answer

People cheat when someone missing from their primary relationship. People who are truly in love and have good sex lives don't cheat on each other. Of course, some men are just selfish assholes, which doesn't help the situation.

aceleon · Answer

Horniness. İt is about it, it really doesn't have a bigger meaning.

Either his girl was not enough for hım or he took the opportunity when another woman presented it to him, male cheating doesn't have bigger meanings, or sob stories.

chefsam · Answer

Sex not satisfying anymore or he finds his partner not attractive as much or she gives him sex like once a month or so; so he finds it somewhere else

MrChinaski · Answer

OMG... this is a book to be written. It could be he is not satisfied with what you are putting out. It could be simply that he can. Not defending cheating. But it happens a lot, I hear.

LiamS95 · Answer

Selfishness on his behalf, possibly a lack of intimacy, she let herself get way out of shape and quit caring for herself. There could be a number of reasons but that doesn't mean they're valid reasons.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Means, motive & opportunity.  Novelty, ego & arrogance.  Put them together, especially with alcohol or past history, and viola! An affair!

serious · Answer

What would? There isn't a singular reason for this. There can be N number of reasons.

HighValue · Answer

Bad morals. If he didn't like her, he should end the relationship, not cheat.

NotLongKindaGirthy · Answer

Boredom, loneliness, or just being a garbage human being.

Ferngully2000 · Answer

Selfishness and sexual intimacy lacking in relationship or boredom.

Eempriyanka · Answer

Omg! Can we girls agree that societal view of relationships is wrong and evil? Like you getting that attraction for someone for a bloody reason! Why you denying that? It's masochistic

robocop666 · Answer

Some men just want variety. Escorts claim in interviews that some men have happy marriages and see hundreds of escorts as a hobby. Then the wife finds out on the phone.

nawtee_me · Answer

She try’s to manipulate him by holding back the sex.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Any number of reasons, but mainly attraction, dissatisfaction and opportunity

Anonymous · Answer

Being a cheater. Seriously? If you're asking this at 56.🤦‍♂️

Vampirelover_12 · Answer

Him not remembering his place as a man.

Billlewis · Answer

In my case, absolutely nothing.

Flower7 · Answer

Lack of respect for the woman.

NicholasRedone · Answer

Something better

exitseven · Answer

I think it is just to get away with something

Anonymous · Answer

The opportunity for casual sex

Lottydotty · Answer

A lack of humanity.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Nothing, cheating has no excuse!

StevenMcGarrett · Answer

He likes having sex with different women.

Pterodon · Answer

Doesn’t love or respect her

chocolatetwopointo · Answer

anything, men cheat on women for no reason

Sluttt · Answer

Well we all are sluts

ABC1x1x · Answer

Lack of respect, nagging, gaining weight

yotaman99 · Answer

I’m not sure my ex girlfriend did the cheating.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Selfishness.

Vegasrunner · Answer

Options

jahaims · Answer

He hates himself

blackeagle007 · Answer

No comment

In_Trance · Answer

Mismatched values

Gayuglycowardv3 · Answer

better women

Anonymous · Answer

He’s a d bag.

Anonymous · Answer

Lack of sex.

What would cause a man to cheat on a woman?

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What makes a man cheat on his wife?

What would cause a man to cheat on a woman?

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What makes a man cheat on his wife?

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