[untenured]

You can make statistics say anything.

You're right to be skeptical of surveys. I am reading a book (The Third Chimpanzee, by Jared Diamond) which has a chapter on the purported evolutionary basis for adultery. The author cites a researcher who took some blood samples from parents and newborns in the course of other research. He found to his horror (in the late 1940s, mind you) that 10-20% of children were conceived by someone other than the husband. If you count women who cheat without becoming impregnated the total percentage of cheaters might be much higher. (By its very nature the study was unable to track unfaithful men, but I have no reason to think the percentage is lower.)

[PJ-Comix]

He found to his horror (in the late 1940s, mind you) that 10-20% of children were conceived by someone other than the husband. If you count women who cheat without becoming impregnated the total percentage of cheaters might be much higher.

At least I don't have that worry. My voice is a cabon copy of my Dad's so unless one of my uncles (who have the same unique sounding voice) did the dirty deed, then I am totally legit.

[SauronOfMordor]

He found to his horror (in the late 1940s, mind you) that 10-20% of children were conceived by someone other than the husband. If you count women who cheat without becoming impregnated the total percentage of cheaters might be much higher.

A recent book on genetics and evolution ("The Red Queen") commented on more recent research that found the percentage closer to 20% in England