A study has revealed the gift-giving patterns of men in extra marital and monogamous affairs. The popular belief that men spend on mistresses gifts more than they spend on their wives gifts has been analyzed in a study. The study has revealed the surprising reality that challenges this notion.

Fairy Wren and Human Relationships: A Behavioral Match

The study was inspired by a wildlife biologist speaking about the fairy wren’s gifting patterns. The familiarity of the relationships of these birds to human relationships is surprising. This bird, endemic to Australia, also indulges in extrapair and monogamous relationships like humans.

The study has observed that in extrapair relationships, the male fairy wren indulge in giving flower petals in order to express their interest in the female fairy wren. This behavior could not be seen in the case of their monogamous relationship.

Findings of The Study

The researchers analyzed gift giving patterns of participants in their extrapair and monogamous relationships. The researchers asked all participants to recall receiving gifts from their partners. The participants were investigated with questions revolving around men spending money on gifts or else the woman in a relationship.

The study revealed results completely contrary to the popular belief. The study showed that men spend more money on maintaining a long-term relationship than they do in keeping an extramarital affair. Men who are in a committed relationship indulge in gift-giving for bond-building, reinforcing a connection, etc.

Women around the world believe that men spend more in a relationship on buying gifts. But the study has debunked the truth. It has been pointed out that men and women spend equally in order to sustain their relationship. Gift-giving can only help the partners promote a long-term relationship. Also, extramarital affairs lack a long-term relationship setup. People won’t wish to contribute or spend much on temporary relationships.

Men do not spend on gifts for extramarital affairs. They want to spend more on their committed partners. The findings of the study revealed that men do not spend lavishly on extramarital affairs because gift-giving reinforces a long-term commitment. The resource allocation of a person can even influence their spending on gifts.

The main takeaway of this study was that men and women spend more on gifting their romantic partners gifts than their partners in the affair. The willingness of men and women to spend on a relationship depends on their long-term commitment. Gift-giving to extramarital partners is not similar to gift-giving in a long-term bond. Commitment to a partner decides whether or not a male want to spend on expensive gifts for their partner. The cultural meaning behind gift-giving can certainly influence the gift-giving behaviour of romantic partners as well as affair partners. The researchers aspire to analyze gift-giving behaviours based on sexual orientation, culture, and relationship structure in the future. They would apply the findings of these United States-based studies to the masses of other cultures, countries, belief systems, and even relationship types.