A recent survey reveals that a majority of people in England and Wales do not view having an affair with a married partner as morally wrong. According to the poll conducted by market researchers Ipsos, 52 percent of respondents either accepted or were indifferent to extramarital relationships, while 48 percent considered sex with a married person morally unacceptable. This marks a shift from a similar 1989 survey, where 52 percent opposed affairs.

Alex Bogdan, the report author, noted that while there have been significant changes in societal attitudes toward issues such as homosexuality, children born outside of marriage, and divorce, views on infidelity have remained relatively stable. The survey also examined perceptions of marriage itself, finding that although there is some indication that attitudes have evolved, most respondents continue to believe in the institution of marriage.

Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that just under half of adults in England and Wales are currently married or in a civil partnership, a decline from 58 percent in 1991. A related poll conducted by YouGov in July found that 17 percent of UK adults admitted to having cheated on a partner at some point.

When broken down by age, the Ipsos survey showed that younger adults, specifically those aged 16 to 24, were more likely to view affairs as morally wrong, with 53 percent expressing disapproval. The poll asked participants to select unacceptable behaviors from a list of 20 options, with hard drug use, such as heroin, cited by 71 percent as objectionable. Football hooliganism ranked second with 62 percent opposition, while extramarital affairs were the third most objectionable behavior.

Bogdan emphasized that despite shifting societal norms, issues of morality continue to resonate with the public as the country moves through 2026.