Alyssa Sandy & Ruby Sams, Staff Writers

Cheating.  A word that means- to act dishonestly or unfairly to gain an advantage, a word that means something different to everyone that dares to utter or think of it, a word that changes lives daily. The meaning of cheating can differ between relationships, but regardless of who is using it or how it’s being used, both the denotation and connotation are rarely positive. 

​

 Of course, opinions on what cheating can be defined as are unique to each relationship and situationship, one thing is clear- there is a preconceived notion that men are more likely to cheat than women.  

​

A survey conducted by the Clarion Staff covered a random sample of peers and adults to explain who they believe cheats more and why. The survey yielded various answers and reasons for cheating from both women and men. 

​

 Some responses were based on personal experiences and things as simple as it has happened chronically, while others were based primarily on observation and what is portrayed in the media.  

​

Those that weren’t speaking from personal experience cited reasons like being emotionally checked out or disconnected, a learned habit/ modeling from the environment or a previous environment, and a lack of satisfaction regarding physical wants.  

​

Clarion Staff findings were conclusive with research conducted and presented by the Institute for Family Studies which revealed that men are more likely to cheat than women, with 20 percent of cheaters being men, and 13 percent women; however, age and maturity can sway these findings.