More married men and women turn to the Internet to forget about their financial problems

Apr 6, 2009 19:21 GMT  ·  By

Losing one’s job after years with a certain company can – and even does these days – mean more than just a financial hit that will have one spending more time at home trying to find a new position. As the increasing number of members of infidelity websites (destined especially for married people looking for other married people) shows, the many lay-offs seem to have found a cure in no-strings-attached romances.

Leaving aside the moral implications of these “campaigns,” they are presented as the best method to alleviate stress and take one’s mind from the financial hardships one is facing. It’s fun, does not involve any longtime commitment and, what’s best, it implies meeting someone who faces the same risks as you do. In the UK alone, as the Daily Mail informs, not only have these websites flourished into a highly lucrative business, but the number of members is also increasing exponentially.

“In the past six months, we’ve seen a 25 per cent increase in members versus the previous six months, and it’s certainly being driven by the recession.” David Rees, the founder and director of MarriedAndLooking, says for the aforementioned publication.

“We have almost 10,000 members, all of them married and most of them professional and aged 25 to 50. There are lots of company directors and highflyers on there and men outnumber women by three to one. Research indicates that 40 per cent of the people registered on singles dating websites are actually married, so ironically ours is a much more honest proposition.” he further explains.

However, Rees adds, members are not only looking for a fun way they can put the harsh reality aside for even just a short while, since the idea of meeting someone without having to go through the usual “wooing” process is also very appealing. The money they would spend on flowers, candies and fancy dinners and drinks is saved, since partners manage their romance in a very business-like manner.

“Members tell us that they want to relieve the stresses caused by worrying about their jobs or businesses. But frequently those stresses are exacerbated at home where they argue with their spouse over finances or the school fees. On average, most people are members for six months and will have around two encounters during that time. These aren’t serial philanderers, they just want a quick outlet without risking their marriage or getting involved.” Rees stresses.

And, the Mail chimes in, while families are taking a serious hit because of one partner’s infidelity made possible via one of these sites, the infidelity industry as such is thriving. This is one segment that has not been affected by the recession, except in a very positive way.