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Infidelity survey - faithless or forgiving over 50?
The over 50s are a tolerant bunch when it comes to infidelity, a Saga Zone survey has revealed
And in shining a spotlight on cheating in relationships, Saga's over 50s social networking website found that more than a quarter of those polled admitted being unfaithful to their partners.
In fact, the survey of more than 2,000 adults showed similar levels of infidelity among under 50s and over 50s.
However, just over a third of the over 50s said they regretted the experience, compared to more than half of those younger than 50.
The over 50s have a very relaxed attitude to infidelity. Only half considering kissing someone other than their partner to be cheating, compared with more than 75 per cent of under 50s admitting the same.
Other key findings which highlighted different generational attitudes included:
* A quarter of over 50s compared with half under 50s would break up with their partners for cheating.
* A third of over 50s consider sending suggestive text messages as cheating, compared to around half of the under 50s.
* Twice as many over 50s as under 50s would forgive their partners if they found out they had been cheating.
People in a relationship need not worry too much about their partner straying online. While a quarter of both age groups believed that flirting in an online chatroom meant their partner was being unfaithful, just three per cent of all people admitted cheating on their partner as a result of letting an online friendship grow out of control.
The over 50s also showed that life experience has given them a circumspect attitude towards infidelity. A third believed cheating to be entirely immoral, compared to four in ten of the under 50s.
Saga Magazine editor-at-large Emma Soames said: "Infidelity is never a pleasant subject and can often be painful for all concerned. So this survey brings to light some uncomfortable facts - but a high degree of honesty.
"The over-50s seem to have a more measured attitude to infidelity with the majority believing that it takes more than words or a stolen kiss to constitute a fling.
"Only a quarter believed that flirting online, and just a third believed that sending a suggestive text would be cause to call in the lawyers! They clearly take their marriage vows seriously and, for better or worse, concentrate on trying to make the relationship work if an indiscretion occurs rather than falling at the first hurdle.
"Many of them are in long lasting relationships – maybe these pragmatic attitudes account for that."
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