Many single women prefer married men.

The number of relationships between married men and single women has increased greatly over the past decade and appears to be on the rise, notes Victoria L. Rayner, a business consultant and author of The Survival Guide for Today's Career Woman. "The reasons why women become involved in extramarital affairs vary. Single women who are afraid of committing to a serious relationship will often end up having an affair with a married man.

"Married lovers are especially appealing to single, career-oriented women because they are less demanding than a spouse or a live-in boyfriend. Single and content, these women are too active in their careers to assume the responsibilities of married life." Some unmarried females also see a married male as an answer to their financial or sexual problems. "They may eventually want to settle down, but not until their earnings, experience, maturity, and attitude are such that they feel ready."

Not all single women who become involved in extramarital affairs do so knowingly, though. Some "men may lie and say that they are separated or in the process of getting a divorce. By the time the single woman figures out that her new lover already has a wife and children, it is often too late. She is already emotionally attached." Such affairs can go on for months, years, or even decades, but eventually will...