1 in 10: 'Adultery should be illegal'

Celeb

Over one in ten Brits say that they think adultery should be illegal, our poll has found, with young people even more condemnatory than their older counterparts. We gave a list of various activities, some legal, some illegal, to a representative sample of 2,595 British adults and asked them to say whether each should be illegal or legal.

  • Perhaps surprisingly, 12% in total said that adultery, defined as having sex with someone while being married or in a civil partnership with somebody else, should be illegal
  • Men and women are broadly in agreement, with 11% of men and 13% of women thinking it should be illegal

However, a noticeable difference in attitude emerges when considering the opinions of our youngest respondents with those of our oldest.

  • Over one in five (21%) 18 to 24 year olds thinks adultery should be illegal
  • While just 9% of those over 60 agree

Not allowed

Among the activities most thought should be illegal were insider trading (69%) and urinating in a public place (67%), both of which are actually illegal. However, burning the British flag (57%) and gazumping (accepting a verbal offer from one house buyer but then accepting a higher offer from someone else, 48%) were also activities many thought should be illegal but which are, in fact, perfectly lawful in the UK.

On the other end of the scale, 7% thought attempting suicide should be illegal, while a very small 3% of people said that giving birth to a child while not being married should not be allowed.

Adultery isn’t a criminal offence in Britain, but can be cited in divorce cases if the injured party can prove the adultery has taken place and that he/she can no longer continue to live with his/her partner as a result.

See the survey details and full results here

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