Infidelity's Up, as Women Lead Charge

Studies show infidelity rates rising across the board, the New York Times reports, with women closing the cheating gap on men. Lifetime infidelity rates for men over 60 jumped from 20% to 28% between 1991 and 2006, while women leaped from 5% to 15%. The trend affects young and old—20% of men under 35, and 15% of women, say they’ve cheated.

What’s behind the promiscuity boom? Theories abound, but many think that, among the old, Viagra and similar drugs are allowing illicit love to blossom where it couldn’t before. For the young, Internet porn may play a role. Of course, the data may not be entirely reliable. It's based on surveys, and adulterers have never been the most forthcoming of people. (More marriage stories.)