Attitudes about extramarital sexual activity.(Opinion Pulse)(Table)

The vast majority of Americans say that extramarital sexual relations are always wrong. In 2004, 80 percent gave that response. Another 12 percent said they were almost always wrong. A near majority of men, and a solid majority of women, called adultery a sin. Although there are reasons to be cautious about survey data on sensitive subjects such as affairs outside of marriage, large numbers tell pollsters that they would not cheat even if they were sure they wouldn't get caught.

 
Question: What is your opinion about ...? 
 
       A married person having sexual relations with 
       someone other than the marriage partner is 
       always wrong 
 
1973                       70% 
 
2004                        80 
 
Sour: National Opinion Research Center, latest that of 2004. 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: Which of the following best describes how you feel about 
having sex outside an established relationship ...? 
 
                           Men's     Women's 
                    All   response   response 
Adultery/ 
infidelity 
is a sin            54%      49%        58% 
 
Cheating is a 
symptom of 
deeper problems 
in a relationship    74       70         79 
 
Source: Sovereign Marketing Research for Playboy, October 2004. 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: If you could ...? 
 
Would not participate in an extramarital affair * [even if I knew] I 
would never get caught 
  ...