Have you ever wondered why relationship among youngsters is so bridled by infidelity? It can be one of the two reasons. A recent study suggests that infidelity in relationships among millennial arises from the partner’s different needs for attachment. It zeroes down to two main reasons, one is thinking your partner isn’t satisfying your needs, or feeling the need for more independence.
The study was conducted by the University of Tennessee on 104 young adults with an average age of 22. They admitted to having cheated on their partner in the past six months.
The major reason for infidelity, which was given by 73% of participants were interdependence while 20% blamed the need for independence for cheating. The problem of intimacy arises due to poor communication, lack of spark, feeling unwanted and when it leads the partner into thinking their needs aren’t being fulfilled by their counterpart.
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Millennial, contrary to previous generation, don’t rush to settle down on a romantic partner. They enjoy the liberty of deciding whether they should continue their relationship or not. In addition, the struggle to move out of their parents' homes, and the casual dating culture, also informs their attitude towards relationships.
Some participants also admitted to cheating because they were drunk, attracted to someone else or simply couldn't resist the excitement or novelty of infidelity and the prospect of someone new.
"I think we're so used to having attention in an instant (from social media and our phones) - we seek and expect instant gratification - that when things are bad with a partner and you're lacking in confidence, kissing someone else gives you that quick rush that you've still 'got it'," said a 24-year-old participant.
The authors observed that two attachment styles -anxious and avoidant- are at the root of millennials' reasons for cheating.
While the anxious worry about losing closeness in their relationship and as such often push their partners away, the avoidant generally avoid getting too close to others and are more likely to think their partners aren't meeting their intimacy needs.
The study authors note that: "Because emerging adulthood is thought to be a time of exploration and experimentation, it is possible that engaging in infidelity is a path through which individuals seek to meet their developmental needs for independence and interdependence and promote their individual development."
Jerika Norona, lead study author, suggests millenials to think if their individual and relational goals coincide, before the relationship gets serious.
"If they don't, there is possibility for adaptive and explicit discussions about how those needs can be met within the relationship," explains Norona.
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