New research from YouGov has revealed significant differences in how British men and women define cheating, with men more likely to view physical infidelity as cheating while women are more inclined to consider emotional acts as unfaithful.
Gender divide on cheating definitions
The YouGov survey, titled the Big Survey On Relationships, asked the British public what constitutes infidelity, distinguishing between physical cheating (sleeping with someone who isn't your partner) and emotional cheating (forming a 'deep emotional or romantic connection').
According to the research, 46% of men are unhappy with a sex-led affair, compared to 35% of women. Conversely, only 20% of men are bothered by emotional cheating, while 29% of women are.
Behaviours considered cheating
The study asked participants about 12 different behaviours. Six were deemed cheating by the majority: having sex with someone else (94%), sending naked photos (82%), using a dating app while in a relationship (80%), kissing someone else (73%), secretly messaging or meeting an ex (69%), and forming a deep emotional attachment (52%).
In all cases, fewer men than women said these behaviours count as cheating. The biggest gender gap was on kissing: 80% of women versus 65% of men considered it cheating. For deep emotional attachment, 60% of women versus 43% of men said it was infidelity.
Grey areas and cheating prevalence
Six behaviours were less likely to be considered cheating: engaging with sexual content creators like OnlyFans (47%), developing romantic feelings without physical action (40%), using AI chatbots for romantic or sexual conversations (30%), flirting (26%), fantasising about sex or intimacy (16%), and having a crush (15%). Again, more women than men viewed these as unfaithful, with the largest gap on OnlyFans: 57% of women versus 37% of men considered it cheating.
The survey also found that 23% of Brits who have been in a relationship admitted to being unfaithful, with 17% having had a sexual relationship and 18% being emotionally disloyal. Additionally, 12% admitted to both. Meanwhile, 40% would be more upset by a sexual affair without romantic feelings, and 76% believe there is no justification for cheating, though 11% think some circumstances make it socially acceptable.
