The reason for having an affair are as many and varied as the people who have them. There is no one singular reason for infidelity. But if you take a closer look, you will notice that the reasons for affairs fall into 7 major categories. In this article we'll take a look at each of these briefly.

1. LOOKING FOR LOVE IN THE WRONG PLACES.
Many people who have affairs are individuals who are unhappy with their marriages and who start looking outside the marriage to have their emotional and physical needs met. In many instances, these relationships began as friendships and they gradually evolved into a physical relationship as well.

2. LOOKING FOR ATTENTION, ROMANCE & PASSION.
There is no romance and passion in the marriage any longer. The married couple isn't spending any time together or making the marriage a priority. One spouse, in particular, feels taken for granted and ignored. Anger and resentment build and they become soft targets for attention outside of marriage.

Having an affair makes them feel special and loved again. So many couples fall into this trap. If you're taking your spouse for granted, you need to change that now. Schedule a weekly date. Make time to talk and reconnect. Look for ways to spice up your sex life and most importantly make time for sex and intimacy.


3.CONSTANT CRITICISM AND LACK OF APPRECIATION.
One or both of the partners is focused on finding fault with the other. Fault-finding, nitpicking and constant criticism hurt the spouse who then becomes hungry for approval, admiration and appreciation. Constant, carping criticism is deadly to a marriage. A spouse who feels that nothing is ever good enough will eventually stop trying.

4. DULL SEX LIFE OR A SEXLESS MARRIAGE.
This reason seems similar to number 2 above. But unlike number 2, the cheating spouse may be very happy in other areas of the marriage. The only problem is caused by a lack of sex or a boring, routine sex life.

One partner may lose the physical attraction they once had to the other or one spouse may be a poor lover who doesn't fulfill the needs of the other. So the unhappy partner finds someone outside the marriage to fulfill these needs.

If your spouse is complaining about your love life, don't brush it off. Do what you can to improve matters before it's too late.

5.TO BOOST HIS/HER EGO.
This is common amongst men going through a midlife crisis. They still want to know that they are attractive to the opposite sex and often set out to prove it by having an affair with a younger woman.

If you think that your spouse would be vulnerable to this type of an affair, then you could provide the ego boost that your spouse needs through frequent compliments and by showing appreciation. Tell him how good he looks, how you love his smile, how she still turns you on even after all these years. Tell your spouse these things before someone else does.

6. THE ONE NIGHT STAND.
This type of affair can occur even in the happiest of marriages. An out of town trip, an office party with too many drinks and a willing co-worker can all lead to a mistake that is often deeply regretted the morning after.

These types of affairs are not caused by something lacking in the marriage, but more that the cheating spouse is poor at controlling his impulses.

7. SEX ADDICT.
The sex addict has an insatiable need to engage in certain sexual behavior even if it means hurting the people they love. There is very little you can do to help the sex addict, unless they are willing to change. It's best to seek professional help.

For additional reading on affairs and infidelity I highly recommend the following books: