BOOM August 2015 | Page 42

R E L AT I O N S H I P 12 reasons why people have extramarital affairs P eople all around are having extramarital affairs, regardless of their socioeconomic background or location. Some instances come as a shock because when things seem to be going well in the marriage. You can't help but wonder — Why? Something obviously went wrong somewhere. Here are some possible reasons as to why people indulge in an extramarital affair. 1. Early marriage People who marry in their early 20s would most likely have achieved some level of stability and social standing by their mid-30s. At that point, they feel that they did not really enjoy life in their 20s, and find it exciting to indulge in an extramarital affair. It is their way of experiencing the thrill and excitement of dating. 2. Married for the wrong reasons Many people enter into marriage for the wrong reasons. Pressures from family and society top the list in the country. After a point, many people agree to marriage without even getting to know their life partner. Once the deed is done, they realise the mistake they have made in terms of the choice of their life partner. If they meet someone who is in any way a better match than their current spouse, they are immediately attracted to him/ her. And what starts as a simple friendship usually ends up in an affair. 3. Inability to deal with changes Life throws changes at us almost every day. Most of us are able to deal with the small changes. But the bigger ones are tougher to deal with — a serious illness in the family, death, loss of employment, financial loss, etc. Many turn to people, apart from their spouses to deal with such changes. They find more comfort in the arms of someone new, perhaps someone not connected to their tough circumstances in any way. 4. Becoming parents Becoming a parent changes everything about a husband-wife relationship. Priorities change, the time you can give each other reduces and your immediate living environment alters drastically. While most women give their 200% to being mothers, I know of several men who suddenly feel lost and unimportant at home, a