Our expert explains the perspectives of women and infidelity because there’s a lot more going on than you may think
- HIGHLIGHTS
- The government survey (NFHS -5) surveyed 707 districts of the country from 28 states and eight union territories during 2019-2021.
- Rajasthan has the majority number of women 3.1 sex partners and against 1.8 for men, according to the national report.
- Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu are the other states and union territories where women typically have more sex partners than men.
Earlier, according to multiple reports, there have been many significant differences in the reasons why men and women cheat on their respective partners, with men cheating for more sexual pleasures or due to situational factors like being drunk and women cheating more because of a relationship (lack of love for the partner) or physical dissatisfaction.
However, today, the gender gap in infidelity is closing and both men and women are cheating for many of the same reasons. Recently it was found that women have more sexual partners than men, especially in 11 Indian states and union territories (UTs) according to the latest survey from National Family Health Survey statistics (NFHS-5).
The NFHS (National Family Health Survey) survey was conducted among 1.1 lakh women and 1 lakh men which defied the belief that men have multiple sexual partners while women don’t and stick with their one primary partner for the rest of their life.
According to the latest NFHS data, women on average typically have more sexual partners compared to men in 11 Indian states and union territories however, the percentage of men withstood at 4 per cent who had sexual intercourse with someone who was neither their spouse nor a live-in-partner, much higher than that of women which is at 0.5 per cent.
The NFHS surveyed 707 districts of the country from 28 States and eight UTs conducted during 2019-21 which are Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. India’s Land of kings Rajasthan had the highest number where women cheating on an average of 3.1 sex partners as against 1.8 for men.
The National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) in their recent findings revealed some shocking facts that over 40% of women justify husbands beating their wife if she argues and refuses sex for any reason.
WOMEN IN URBAN AND RURAL INDIA
It was also found that the percentage of young people aged 15-24 who have had sex before the age of 15 has decreased insignificantly between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 for women (from 3% to 2%) and men (from 0.9% to 0.5%).
Also, the data revealed that women of urban age between 25-49 start having sex almost two years later than women from rural. For women in urban areas, the average age for the first sex is 20.2, compared with 18.5 years for women in rural areas.
In India, the average age for women aged 25-49 at first sexual intercourse is 18.9 years. 10% of women aged 25-49 had sex before age 15, 39 per cent before age 18 and by age 20, 60% of women aged 25-49 have had sexual intercourse.
For men in India, the average age of first sexual intercourse is 24.8 at age 25-49. 1% of men (age 25-49) first had sexual intercourse before age 15, and 6% had sexual intercourse before age 18.
The survey has also revealed that the 2% of men aged between 15-49 in India had paid for sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the survey.
ABORTION
There have been many cases of unplanned pregnancies as most unmarried youngsters are getting intimate because of lust (addiction), curiosity, and fun. Since abortion is illegal in India, it is still performed in various private health sectors and also, and it was found that over one-fourth (around 27%) of the abortions were performed by the women themselves at home.
In a survey, half of the women said that the major reason they seek an abortion is that either it is an unplanned pregnancy, or their health didn’t allow them to continue with their pregnancy.
We asked Jaipur-based Divination Practitioner and energy healer, Vibha Sharma, about why women cheat, plus what to do if it’s happening:
SOME OF THE REASONS WHY WOMEN CHEAT
- For sex or crave intimacy (desire to experience new sexual trends and satisfy their sexual hunger)
- Unhappy with their present relationship (due to lack of love, clashes or anything disappointing)
- Get drunk and make a mistake (situational factors)
- The new guy made them feel exceptional
- Experience low self-esteem
- To feel numb or distracted or cope with hard feelings
- They want a breakup or a change
SIGNS THAT CAN HELP YOU KNOW SHE IS BEING UNFAITHFUL
She will act suspiciously around her phone or computer to hide her communication.
She always dresses nicely, stays outside as much as she can for no good reason and you often can’t get a hold of them when she is out.
There may be some changes in your sex life (like either she is being hornier or neglecting to have sex).
Her friend may act awkward around you and could very well know about the cheating.
There are unexplained expenses on her bank statement like dinners or other date-like activities.
“In such a situation where you caught your partner cheating on you then the only thing which is left to do is confront and you guys need to talk about what can be done about it,” says Vibha Sharma.
“If you have children then it will become 100 times more difficult to take a decision and to be very honest, the person can only decide whether he wants to stay or leave the partner because no one can understand what he is going through so depending on that situation, how bad it was, he can come to a conclusion. In the best-case scenarios, it is always recommended that not to take any action in rage, and take some time to think what will b best for everyone calmly”, Sharma added.
