Temptation What Makes Us Cheat?

It used to happen in cheap motel rooms, now it's in plain view on shows like Temptation Island. We take a closer look at lust, trust, and getting busted.

* When TV phenom Temptation Island lilt the airwaves in January, it caused a media Frenzy that rivaled that of' Daiwa Conger's infamous I-do. Not just because it had people glued to their tubes but also because it sparked some pretty heated debates about what's daring entertainment and what's just plain dirty. The idea that four committed couples would have their relationships put to the test (fun, sexy, and assertive singles; a romantic tropical setting; and affair-inducing circumstances were just a Few oF the enticements) had many moral pundits up in arms.

Which made us wonder: What was it about the show--the chance to watch twosomes two-time--that was causing the upset? Part of it was being privy to the details of their dalliances. And part was that ever since adultery came out of the closet when America metaphorically walked in on Bill Clinton receiving the "presidential treatment," it's become a kind of creepy theme in our lives. We've not only had to acknowledge other people's affairs but have also been forced to consider whether we might stray someday.

"The Fact is, we're not a naturally monogamous species like others are--swans and Canada geese, for instance," says Louise DeSalvo, author of Adultery. "However, that's not to say that infidelity is in all of our futures--after all, we're inclined to violence too, but most of us don't act on it." To dig deeper into the touchy subject, we took a Cosmo-style look at naughty nooky in the United States today--From celeb philandering to what makes the average couple play dirty do-si-do. Because let's Face it, monogamy is nice, but infidelity is a lot more fun to read about.

Girls Do It; Guys It... Here's Why

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