– More than half of cheaters surveyed admit they told their lovers
they will leave –
A stunning new survey has revealed behind-the-scenes secrets of steamy long-term affairs and how the decision of whether to leave one’s partner in favour of a lover plays out.
The survey, conducted by dating website, Victoria Milan, polled 3,874 of its male and female members who have engaged in a long-term affair. The majority of affairs lasted between 6 months to 2-3 years; only 9% of affairs lasted 3-4 years and 13% lasted more than 5 years.
Husbands and wives can sleep easy (sort of…) in the knowledge that almost 9 out of every 10 cheaters have not left their significant other for a long-term lover, and only a third of those surveyed say they considered the prospect.
Their long-term lovers certainly aren’t aware of that, with just over half the cheaters surveyed confessing they did tell their lovers they were planning on leaving their partners.
Although 48% never made that promise, the survey shows that a whopping 88% of lovers expected that their affair would someday be made public, and their cheating lover would change their ways for them.
“We see from this survey that there are some unmanaged expectations from lovers, but the true long-term relationships win out in the end.”
Founder and CEO for Victoria Milan, Sigurd Vedal, said affairs – even long-term ones – serve a purpose, but that generally is not to break up primary relationships. “Stress relief, a little adventure, shaking things up – call it what you will, our research shows affairs are generally very therapeutic for marriages and serious relationships because they take the pressure off. We see from this survey that there are some unmanaged expectations from lovers, but the true long-term relationships win out in the end,” Mr Vidal said.
SURVEY DATA
Have you ever had a long-term affair?
Yes – 42%
No – 58%
If yes, how long did it last?
Half a year – 19%
No more than a year – 21%
Between 1-2 years – 23%
Between 2-3 years – 15%
Between 3-4 years – 9%
More than 5 years – 13%
Did you leave your partner for your lover?
Yes – 13%
No – 87%
Did you ever consider leaving your partner for your lover?
Yes – 32%
No – 68%
Did you ever tell your lover you were going to leave your partner?
Yes – 52%
No – 48%
Did your lover have expectations about you leaving your partner?
Yes – 88%
No – 12%
Did you feel you were caught in a love triangle?
Yes – 72%
No – 28%
Was it difficult to end your affair?
Yes – 32%
No – 68%
