Cheating Might Not Be a Dealbreaker in Relationships for Indians, Says New Survey

Cheating on your partner has been seen as the ultimate betrayal for decades. It has been painted as a non-negotiable dealbreaker that marks the end of love in a relationship. However, a new study suggests that modern relationships have largely evolved with a shift in people’s attitudes towards cheating and infidelity, becoming more nuanced than ever.

Research commissioned by Gleeden and conducted by IPSOS featuring 1,500 Indian respondents stated that about 53% of Indians believe that infidelity does not necessarily mark the end of a relationship. According to the study, while 47% of the respondents still see cheating as an unforgivable act, 25% of people believe that it depends on the situation, and 28% say that love can still survive if the couple is willing to work through the problem.

The Era of Second Chances

The study revealed that a lot of people do not view relationships as being bound by rigid ideas of loyalty and betrayal. The survey conducted by IPSOS highlights how couples in today’s time are seeking to redefine boundaries. They do not see infidelity as the final rupture in a relationship but more like a potential turning point and choose to address the deeper causes with their partners, rather than walking away from their relationship. These causes range from emotional disconnect, unmet needs or even communication breakdown; they believe resolving deeper issues can prevent a relationship from falling apart.

The study, however, reveals a geographical divide on the subject, with people in the big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore being more forgiving, while smaller towns remain rigid about infidelity. It reflected that Bangalore has emerged as the most lenient city amongst all, with about 59% of the respondents believing that cheating would not mean that their relationship had to end. In contrast, Guwahati saw 72% of respondents who believed that they would never forgive cheating.

From ‘Who Is To Blame’ To ‘What Went Wrong’

The survey studied in depth how people are now beginning to perceive infidelity. It revealed that couples are now moving from the idea of who is to blame to what went wrong. They are beginning to ask why it happened instead of treating cheating solely as a breach of trust. This shift reflects the growing openness to therapy, deeper conversations and emotional maturity amongst the people. The study highlighted that cheating is no longer viewed as a moral failure but a symptom of unresolved issues in the relationship.

Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager, Gleeden India, noted, “Infidelity is not being viewed anymore as a one-footed issue; people are starting to understand that relationships are complex and sometimes infidelity is only the symptom of deeper emotional or sexual disconnection. Instead of vacating immediately, many couples are deciding to talk together, understand and for the most part work on real solutions to their disconnection.”

Not Just About Excusing Mistakes But Fighting For What Matters

Another striking insight revealed by the study is that 62% of respondents shared that they would forgive infidelity if it were a one-time mistake, indicating a shift where choosing to stay after betrayal can be seen as a sign of emotional strength, and perfection does not define relationships.

The study sheds light on how modern couples are writing their own rules. In an age where relationships are tested by increasing expectations, couples today are seeking to redefine love with flexibility and resilience and are fighting for what matters, even when trust is shaken.