Your cheatin’ heart: joint production, joint consumption and the likelihood of extramarital sex

Abstract

Using data from the General Social Survey (GSS), we model the probability of engaging in Extramarital Sex (EMS) with a focus on variables that allow us to discern evidence of assortative mating. We find that couples with the same religion and both having high levels of education are less likely to engage in EMS. We also find that work status matters: those who are employed are more likely to cheat if their spouses are not working.

Keywords:

• economics of the family
• Extramarital Sex
• marriage
• affairs

JEL Classification:

• D10
• J12