ADULTERY STATISTICS
“some reports suggest an astounding 50-65 percent of husbands and 45-55 percent of wives have had extramarital affairs by the time they are 40.”
Journal of Psychology & Christianity 8, no. 4 (Winter 1989)
Torn Asunder, Dave Carder, pg. 26
“A study of pastors sponsored by Christianity Today found that 23% of 300 pastors admitted some form of sexually inappropriate behavior with someone other than their wives while in the ministry”
Journal of Psychology & Christianity 8, no. 4 (Winter 1989)
Torn Asunder, Dave Carder, pg. 26
Peggy Vaughn, author of “The Monogamy Myth” and founder of a secular support system for spouses in adultery recovery has worked in this area for over 30 years:
She cites 60% of marriages will experience adultery
Dr. Shirley Glass, author of “Not Just Friends” and recognized expert on infidelity having hundreds of clinical cases and more than 2 decades of research:
“after reviewing 25 studies – 25% of wives and 44% of husbands have had extramarital intercourse.”
Not Just Friends, Shirley P. Glass, Ph.D., 2003, pg 3
Comparable findings in a number of studies suggest that a reasonable estimate for lifetime incidence of extramarital intercourse is 25% women and 50% men.
Increase that by 15% if you include sexual intimacies and emotional involvements.
In a therapist survey (1992-2001) by Dr. Shirley Glass of 465 therapists at 13 conferences“very little consensus among couple therapists about why infidelity happens and how people should be treated in its aftermath.” – Not Just Friends, Shirley P. Glass, Ph.D., pg 5
The American Academy of Bereavement’s “CMI Institute,” which provides education & training for health care professionals, offered a seminar on adultery conducted by Dr. James Fogarty, Sacramento, CA May 2006. He brought many statistics with him and concluded most studies validate the 25% to 50% numbers.
“According to therapists who treat couples, infidelity is the second most difficult relationship problem, surpassed only by domestic violence.” –Journal of Family Psychology, 11(3), 361-366 in Not Just Friends, Shirley P. Glass, Ph.D., pg 9
“60% of men and 40% of women” –Michele Weiner-Davis, The Divorce Busting Center, Smart Marriages presentation, July 2007.
Statistics vary greatly – you can find 20% to 80% depending on where you look. Why?
Some believe the results are skewed.
- participants volunteer
- not representative of population at large
- various definitions of adultery and sex (remember President Clinton)
Barna reported in 2004 that born again Christians are just as likely to divorce as are non-Christians.
By 1970 “no fault” divorce was in place. Prior to that adultery was one of the top three reasons cited for obtaining a divorce. We have no reason to believe the numbers have changed just because we no longer keep records. In addition, adultery is one of the “accepted” reasons for divorce within the church.
Because the statistics vary so much we use 25% as the lowest accepted statistic.
Statistics supplied by Amy Barnard from Hope & Healing –Gary & Mona Shriver
Please refer to an article about their ministry: Hope and Healing Article
Shrinkwrap Resources 
This is the response I received from Gary and Mona Shriver, the authors of the book I just read for you, Unfaithful. They started a support group for adultery recovery called Hope and Healing…
—– Forwarded Message —-
From: Hope & Healing
To: Amy Barnard
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:31:54 PM
Subject: RE: Houston First Baptist Church
Dear Amy,
We are grateful for the opportunity to share with you and the counseling department at your church. The support groups serve the couples in many ways. First it is the opportunity to be “Jesus with skin on” for the couples. Often the only people they know who have been through adultery are those who divorced or stayed in a marriage that never healed – and it is evident. Being able to spend time with other couples that have indeed healed and have love and trust again in their marriage is a beacon of light in their dark world. The other opportunity is to allow them to see that much of what they’re experiencing is normal for this abnormal situation. And we are able to balance that with biblical truth and practical tools to maneuver this road of recovery. We come alongside these couples as peers, not professionals or counselors, but people just like themselves who followed the Lord through a healing process. They hear and see a message of hope.
I have also attached some documents that I hope will clarify what we do and why we do it.
1) A compilation of “Adultery Statistics” we put together from several professional sources. This to validate the need for a ministry such as Hope & Healing.
2) A sample from our Resource Kit which includes a leader’s manual and video’s of the teaching times that facilitate duplication of the groups we offer locally. One couple can go through the material with their counselor, pastor or another godly couple. The accountability of meeting with someone else increases the benefit and also gives the couple another resource when they hit a particularly difficult portion of the road. The value of the support group has been validated over and over again, and was in fact one major impetus for the book in the first place. We are hoping that by revealing the need through the book, perhaps the support groups could multiply into other geographical areas.
3) Our local newspaper recently ran a story on the ministry. I’ve attached a copy because the reporter interviewed some of our couples and you can get a clearer picture of what we do by reading their words.
If you or anyone at your church would like more information or would like to talk with us, please feel free to contact us. Our information is below. We feel privileged to serve in this ministry and are definite advocates for helping others provide resources for the couples in their area. May the Lord bless you and those who minister with you.
God bless, Gary & Mona
Hope & Healing
Gary & Mona Shriver
P.O. Box 309
Denair , CA 95316
Email: info@hopeandhealing.us
http://www.hopeandhealing.us