econometric methods group assignment 2012
Table of Contents
Contents
PROJECT: Determinants of Extramarital Affairs Introduction
Wiederman (1997) emphasises the fact that 22.7% of married men and 11.6% of women have had extramarital sex during their marriage. Thompson (1993) identifies three determinants of extramarital affairs, being; gender, race and age. It is believed that males, African Americans and newly married couples, are most prone to extramarital affairs. Furthermore, Prins et.al (1999), suggests that among men as well as women, normative disapproval, and to a lesser extent, relational dissatisfaction are related to the desire to become involved in extramarital sexual relationships. Only among women was inequity associated with extramarital sexual relationships. Becker et.al (1977) emphasises the fact that an unexpected increase in husband’s earning capacity reduces the divorce hazard, whereas an unexpected increase in wife’s earning capacity raises the divorce hazard. Edwards (1973) suggests that the probability of extramarital involvement is related to; socio-economic status, the intensity of religious devoutness, residential background, premarital experience, the duration of marriage, level of marital satisfaction, and the degree of alienation.
Even though certain scholars suggest that extramarital affairs can improve marriage (Kinsey 1948) and high marriage satisfaction exists in 61% of wives subject to extramarital affairs (Levin 1975), the status quo amongst scholars is that extramarital affairs are detrimental to relationships. For example, Whisman, Dixon and Johnson (1997) emphasise the fact that an extramarital affair is the second most damaging problem to relationships, and Amato and Rogers (1997) emphasise the fact that the impact of extramarital sex on divorce is more than twice as large as any other relationship problem. This is reinforced by Glass and Wright (1977), who state, ‘Divorce rates are higher for EMS (extra-marital sex) women than non-EMS women
Contents
PROJECT: Determinants of Extramarital Affairs Introduction
Wiederman (1997) emphasises the fact that 22.7% of married men and 11.6% of women have had extramarital sex during their marriage. Thompson (1993) identifies three determinants of extramarital affairs, being; gender, race and age. It is believed that males, African Americans and newly married couples, are most prone to extramarital affairs. Furthermore, Prins et.al (1999), suggests that among men as well as women, normative disapproval, and to a lesser extent, relational dissatisfaction are related to the desire to become involved in extramarital sexual relationships. Only among women was inequity associated with extramarital sexual relationships. Becker et.al (1977) emphasises the fact that an unexpected increase in husband’s earning capacity reduces the divorce hazard, whereas an unexpected increase in wife’s earning capacity raises the divorce hazard. Edwards (1973) suggests that the probability of extramarital involvement is related to; socio-economic status, the intensity of religious devoutness, residential background, premarital experience, the duration of marriage, level of marital satisfaction, and the degree of alienation.
Even though certain scholars suggest that extramarital affairs can improve marriage (Kinsey 1948) and high marriage satisfaction exists in 61% of wives subject to extramarital affairs (Levin 1975), the status quo amongst scholars is that extramarital affairs are detrimental to relationships. For example, Whisman, Dixon and Johnson (1997) emphasise the fact that an extramarital affair is the second most damaging problem to relationships, and Amato and Rogers (1997) emphasise the fact that the impact of extramarital sex on divorce is more than twice as large as any other relationship problem. This is reinforced by Glass and Wright (1977), who state, ‘Divorce rates are higher for EMS (extra-marital sex) women than non-EMS women
References: Di Meglio, F, 2011, ‘Will your husband or wife cheat on you?’, About, , accessed 23rd May 2011. Duncan, G.J and Hoffman, S.D, 1985, ‘A Reconsideration of the Economic Consequences of Marital Dissolution,’ Demography, Volume 22, Number 4, pp Figure 2: Families with Children by Income Quintile 1996 (Fagan 2001)