While infidelity rates do appear to be rising, a vast majority of people still say adultery is wrong, and most men and women do not appear to be unfaithful. Another problem with the data is that it fails to discern when respondents cheat: in a troubled time in the marriage, or at the end of a failing relationship.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s certainly plausible that women might have increased their relative rate of infidelity over time,\u201d\u009d said Edward O. Laumann, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago. \u201cBut it isn\u2019t going to be a huge number. The real thing to talk about is where are they in terms of their relationship and the marital bond.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The General Social Survey data also show some encouraging trends, said John P. Robinson, professor of sociology and director of the Americans\u2019 Use of Time project at the University of Maryland. One notable shift is that couples appear to be spending slightly more time together. And married men and women also appear to have the most active sex lives, reporting sex with their spouse 58 times a year, a little more than once a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve looked at that as good news,\u201d\u009d Dr. Robinson said.<\/p>\n