Cathi Hanauer & Daniel Jones
Cathi: As that New York Times poll reveals, long-term monogamy is difficult for all of us ‑- even those of us who aren't halfway across the world from our spouse shooting hot scenes with gorgeous movie stars of the opposite sex. But let's not confuse Hollywood with real life, or assume that the average man is Brad Pitt. Not all men have cheating on their minds. And plenty of women are at fault for infidelity. Remember Meg Ryan leaving her longtime husband, Dennis Quaid, for Russell Crowe just a few years ago?
Dan: Both in and outside of Hollywood, I'm guessing most husbands and wives have the urge to cheat at one time or another. Those who actually do cheat either can't, or don't want to, stop themselves. Maybe they think they can get away with it. Or maybe it's an unconsciously destructive act to a marriage that already has other problems.
If men cheat more than women, I'd say it's more a crime of opportunity than of chromosomes. Men are still out of the house more than women, and maybe they're also more inclined to think it's something society still largely condones for them in a way that we don't yet condone it for their counterparts. And even so, plenty of men sign up for the monogamy plan and stick to it. But to be fair to Hollywood types, most of us who stick to that pledge don't get to deal with the temptation that constitutes normal life for the likes of Brad Pitt and Jude Law.
NEXT : Michele Weiner-Davis 
Disagree with one of the panelists? Interested in offering your own two cents on why men stray? Share your opinion.
Dan Cronin
Cathi Hanauer & Daniel Jones
Michele Weiner-Davis
