A new study from extramarital dating app Gleeden shared that 55% of respondents “fancy being intimate with someone other than their partners”. It also revealed that 44% of people believe it is possible to be in love with two different people at the same time.
The study, conducted in partnership with IPSOS, aimed to measure the changing perspectives on marriage and infidelity in India. 1,503 married Indians, aged between 25 and 50, including men and women, took part in the survey.
Gleeden’s survey also established that 37% of people believe it is possible to cheat on someone while also still being in love with them. However, 82% said that it is also possible to stay faithful to the same person for their entire life.
When asked about their own experiences with infidelity, 57% said they have been unfaithful to their partners, made up of 59% of surveyed men and 53% of surveyed women. Most of this infidelity took place with individuals that respondents already knew in their social life, with 44% saying it was with someone they met online.
The pandemic changed people’s perspectives on infidelity, with almost a quarter of Indians saying they changed their views and are no longer against it. 22% of respondents have adopted the open relationship concept and are now in non-monogamous relationships.
Generally, infidelity is not linked very much to the sexual activity of a married couple. 41% of respondents said that despite having regular sexual encounters with their partner, they are still not satisfied. Furthermore, most infidelities take place within the first year.
“It is truly fascinating to witness the evolving mindset of Indian society when it comes to relationships and marriage. Our latest survey shows that people are increasingly challenging traditional socio-cultural norms and embracing a more open and liberal approach”, said Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager for India at Gleeden.
“Gleeden is proud to be at the forefront of this change, and we believe our continued growth in India is a testament to the fact that our platform provides a safe and secure space for people to explore their desires and find happiness on their own terms”, she added.