02 July,2024 03:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Recently, datingadvice, an online dating guide, conducted a nationwide survey revealing concerning trends among Gen Z daters. The survey's findings reveal that cheating is becoming increasingly common, with a staggering 93 percent of Gen Z participants admitting to involvement in cheating relationships, compared to 80 percent of millennials. The overall rate of infidelity stands at 83 percent.
Experts owe this rise to digital connections which have made cheating easier and more prevalent. With the advent of social media, dating apps and instant messaging, opportunities for infidelity have multiplied.
These digital platforms provide a veil of anonymity and a sense of detachment, making it simpler for individuals to engage in extramarital affairs without immediate consequences. The ease of access to potential partners and the ability to maintain secret communications have contributed significantly to the surge in cheating behaviours.
Other findings of the survey:
Gen Z has become adept at concealing their digital tracks, leveraging advanced technology and greater familiarity with digital platforms to their advantage. They use features like disappearing messages, encrypted chat apps and private browsing modes to maintain secrecy.
Additionally, they are more knowledgeable about how to delete or hide messages, use multiple accounts and employ apps designed to mask or hide communications. This technological savviness significantly reduces the likelihood of being caught, as evidenced by the contrast in discovery rates: 40.2 percent of millennials are caught via text, compared to only 22.94 percent of Gen Z.
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Interestingly, the survey revealed that 34.12 percent of millennials and 21.83 percent of Gen Z admitted to cheating when confronted by their partners about suspected infidelity, either due to being poor liars or unexpectedly honest. This admission highlights a notable difference in how each generation handles confrontation and truthfulness.
Millennials, perhaps less adept at concealing their actions or more prone to guilt, are more likely to confess when directly questioned. In contrast, Gen Z, while better at hiding digital tracks, still has a significant portion who choose honesty or fail to convincingly lie when faced with direct accusations. These dynamics underscore the complex interplay between digital adeptness and personal integrity across generations.
While booking a five-star hotel can be associated with cheating, there are numerous other legitimate reasons a man might do so, such as business trips, special celebrations or simply a desire for luxury and relaxation. However, the statistics indicate a significant trend in infidelity detection: 16.27 percent of men have been caught through suspicious credit card statements, compared to only 8.84 percent of women.
This disparity suggests that men might be more likely to make extravagant purchases that raise red flags, whether for clandestine encounters or other reasons. The higher detection rate among men could also reflect their tendency to leave more traceable financial evidence, making it easier for partners to uncover infidelity through financial scrutiny.
Imagine the irony of discovering your partner's presence on a dating app while you yourself are actively engaged in infidelity. That's the surprising reality for 18.83 percent of women and 15.57 percent of men who found themselves matched with their partners while both were engaging in cheating behaviour.
Lastly, the survey found that physical evidence is one of the most common reasons that Gen-Z cheaters get caught, with 19.82 percent of those surveyed admitting that it's a found item (such as perfume receipts, flowers, or a condom) that traps them.
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