Now scientists know the answer to this question, although it is difficult to believe in it because of the obvious absurdity – the more one spouse is financially dependent on the other, the more likely it is that he will begin to change.
“It would seem that people should not “bite the hand that feeds them,” but the results of research show just such a trend. Most prefer equality in relationships, they don’t like to depend on the other, ”says author of the study, sociologist Christine Munsch.
Munsch gives the following figures: on average, the probability of infidelity for a woman who is completely financially dependent on her husband reaches 5% per year, and for a man who is completely dependent on his wife – 15%.
“If a man is not the breadwinner in the family, he feels a threat to his masculinity and tries to assert himself through extramarital sex. For men, especially young men, the concept of masculinity is closely associated with sexual conquest and a large number of partners. In addition, by cheating, a man moves away from the partner who provides him and, as it were, punishes her, ”says Munsch.
Husbands and wives respond to financial dependence in the same way, but behave differently as providers
The results are based on an analysis of data from the US National Multi-Year Study, which included 2750 married men and women aged 18 to 32.
It is noted that both husbands and wives react to financial dependence in the same way, but in the role of a breadwinner they behave differently. The more a woman earns a share of the total family income, the less likely she is to cheat. When the wife fully supports the family, the likelihood of her betrayal is minimal.
Researchers point out that for a woman, the role of a breadwinner is contrary to the expectations of society, and in order to reduce internal discomfort, she often compensates for this by belittling her achievements, obeying her husband, being faithful to him, and doing more at home.
Men who are completely dependent on their wives are the most prone to adultery. The risk of infidelity decreases as their contribution to family income increases. But when this indicator reaches 70% – that is, a man begins to earn more – his propensity to cheat again goes up.
“These men understand that their wives are so dependent on them that, most likely, they will be forced to turn a blind eye to infidelity. It is also possible that they are looking for another partner with a large income close to their own. And yet, the most unexpected thing in the study is that financially dependent men are more prone to infidelity than breadwinners who support their wives, ”concludes Munsch.