Days of secret love letters have gone by. Extramarital affair have taken on a new form in our new digital age. With the recent uptick in dating apps, temptation is just a click away. Extramarital dating apps have changed the world of infidelity. The use of dating apps has increased on a vast scale in the past decade, with millions of people across the globe using these platforms daily.
In 2023, the first extramarital affair dating app, Gleeden, saw 740,000 new users join the platform. This represented 383% year-on-year growth for the platform, with a notable 128% increase in female users compared to the previous year.
Gleeden App: Purpose and Importance
Gleeden is the first extramarital affair app made by women, for women. The platform brings together a community of over 11 million members worldwide and allows people in relationships to meet others with similar interests, expectations, and desires. The app offers a high-end platform based on respect, discretion, and courtesy, designed mostly for married women and men or couples.
Members are on average between the ages of 25 and 49, with approximately 51% of all members aged 35 to 49 and 31% between 25 and 34. Gleeden is active in over 29 countries, allowing members to meet people from all around the globe.
How Loveless Marriages Find Solace on Extramarital Affair
Ruhi Varma (name changed). 40. Affectionate. Friendly. Highly accomplished. IT professional. Mother of two lovely kids. Married. After 14 years of marriage, many vacations, and two children, Ruhi felt that she needed more in life. She embarked on solo and group vacations, embraced morning walks and meditation, and came to the realization that she still needed more.
At 40, she realized she had more love to give and couldn’t waste it waiting for her partner to understand her needs. That is when she came in touch with Satyam through the extramarital affair dating app Gleeden. She found a new spark and began a passionate affair, bringing excitement and fulfillment back into her life.
Not only Ruhi, but Gleeden is helping millions of people across the globe. The first extramarital dating app created by women, for women. The platform brings together a community of over 11 million members worldwide and allows people in relationships to meet others with similar interests, expectations and desires.
Gunjan Sharma, a 26-year-old homemaker (name changed), has been in her marriage for five years. Her husband shows her no affection. A year into their marriage, she conceived. However, her husband’s lack of readiness for a child compelled her to abort. Feeling angry, neglected and suffocated, Gunjan turned to the extramarital dating app Gleeden, where she met Rahul.
This connection brought a new lease of life for Gunjan. It filled her days with excitement and relief from the suffocation she felt every day in her marriage. Now, life has changed for her.
France officially launched Gleeden in December 2009. The reason behind its creation was simple: approximately 30% of all the people who had online dating accounts on more traditional websites were actually married or in a relationship and lied about it. The founders therefore decided to put the new concept in the hands of a team of women, who would develop the service and adapt it to the needs of a specific population in a safe and discreet manner. Thus, Gleeden was born.
Pinaki Sen (name changed), 37, is unhappy in his marriage. He found no attraction or shared interests with his wife. “I was seeking excitement outside marriage; it was then that I connected with Trisha through the dating app Gleeden some 2 years ago,” Pinaki says. Pinaki feels no guilt; he believes that life should be filled with excitement, regardless of its source. This new relationship fulfills his need for a more vibrant life. Additionally, you can also read about- Best Omegle Alternatives.
Gleeden, the APAC Manager, speaks
Says Sybil Shiddell, APAC Manager, Gleeden: ‘There are indications that people’s views are fast changing, although infidelity is still a difficult and delicate topic. There is a greater understanding of the value of one’s own fulfillment and pleasure in modern society. And that has led some people to consider relationships that go beyond traditional monogamy. This change is partially attributable to the growing openness and discussion of many relationship topics, including faithfulness.’
Shiddell says, ‘Individuals are more ready to have clear discussions about their desires and limitations, which can involve accepting different kinds of relationships or extramarital affair. People these days are more exposed to globalization and media, as well as many cultural viewpoints and lifestyles, which has helped them develop a more complex understanding of adultery.
Although not everyone may agree with it, there seems to be a shift in the stigma around infidelity as people have become more open to talking about and comprehending all types of relationships.’
Gleeden’s mission is simple: to deal with general hypocrisy and bring down the taboo of infidelity. A team of women runs Gleeden daily, tackling important topics like freedom in relationships, among others. A large team of experts also regularly gives dating advice on the platform. The goal of Gleeden is to offer a high-end platform based on respect, discretion and courtesy. Gleeden primarily caters to married women, men, or couples.
Members are, on average, between the ages of 25 and 49. Approximately 51% of all members are 35 to 49 years old, and 31% are between 25 and 34 years old. Gleeden is a worldwide community, active in over 29 countries, which allows members to meet people from all around the globe.
Extramarital Relationships: A Modern Reality
In reality, a few years ago, a Boeing chief executive’s romantic relationship with a colleague created a scandal, which in turn led to his ouster. He later resigned voluntarily. The relationships we refer to as ‘extramarital’ can occur among individuals, often without their knowledge. But these days, both men and women are seeking extramarital connections through these dating apps. These platforms serve those seeking emotional fulfillment outside of wedlock.
As societal norms are evolving, many couples are embracing open marriages. They are more accepting of their partners’ needs for additional connections. This shift is highlighting a broader understanding that relationships are complex and difficult to categorize as right or wrong. Extramarital relationships are simply a part of modern life; they provide individuals with new ways to find happiness and satisfaction without the traditional stigma attached to infidelity.
Why do extramarital relationships happen?
The reasons are varied, and many explain why extramarital affairs happen. It happens for a variety of reasons, ranging from seeking emotional fulfillment and excitement to experiencing dissatisfaction in the marriage, highlighting the complex dynamics of human relationships. However, these are some of the most commonly cited reasons for infidelity and extramarital affairs.
- Variety is the spice of life.
- Boredom
- Often, revenge is sought.
- Desire for emotional support and intimacy
- In love with someone
Extramarital Affairs and Their Relation to Sensation Seeking: Psychiatrist Opines
Psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Chugh explains, ‘When discussing extramarital affairs or dating apps, it is crucial to understand a specific personality trait: sensation seeking. People who constantly crave excitement exhibit this sensation-seeking trait. For them, the routine of daily life is boring and doesn’t provide enough stimulation.
Apart from drinking and drug use, these people are more likely to engage in extramarital relationships. They look for anything that can give them excitement or thrills. They seek the thrill they cannot find in their daily routines. Furthermore, the world we live in today is extremely stressful, causing people to feel anxious. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with its associated isolation and uncertainty, is the most obvious culprit, but it’s not entirely to blame.
The amount of stress people face now is much higher than it was 10 or 15 years ago. One of the quickest, though unhealthiest, ways to deal with this stress is through sensation-seeking behaviors.’
Extramarital Affairs: Influences on Films, TV, and Literature
Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) once said in an interview about the film Kabhi Alvida Na Kahana, or KANK, that extramarital relationships happen in society itself. This, in turn, shapes the films that follow. Karan Johar directed Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, a 2006 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama, which explores themes of marital infidelity and dysfunctional relationships, and promoted it with the tagline ‘A Love… That Broke All Relationships.’ In fact, many of our films, both Hindi and regional, revolve around extramarital affairs as their theme.
To name a few, there are Chokher Bali, Silsila, Saheb, Bibi Ghulam and others. However, in the context of extramarital affairs, we may question whether such relationships are common in our society. The answer is yes; they are. They also held sway in comparatively earlier times.
Even in TV soap operas, there are a lot of extramarital affairs, and viewers are willing to empathize with the characters if the story is strong enough. In Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies, the short story ‘Sexy’ depicts how a young woman from the Midwest, Miranda, becomes entangled in a seductive relationship with a married Bengali economist, Devajit Mitra.
It touches us. Not for a single moment do we think anything bad about Miranda and Dev. Readers understand the emotional complexity of such relationships.
Dr. Sanjay Chugh added: It’s not just men who are seeking these thrills. Women, too, engage in extramarital relationships for excitement. Even if a woman knows she is involved with a married man, she might still continue the relationship for fun and kicks, knowing it’s not a long-term commitment.
The relationships provide them with the thrill they are looking for, and many women are content with these associations. And I know a lot of women, both personally and professionally, who openly admit that they are not interested in long-term relationships with married men. These connections give them a sense of excitement, which makes them happy.
They are aware that the married man won’t leave his family for them, and they are quite okay with this arrangement. For them, it’s all about the sensation and rush they get from the relationship. If you want, you can also read- What Is Camegle?
Shifting social norms and increasing tolerance
Several factors contribute to Gleeden’s increased appeal to users. Society is fast-changing, and so are its norms. It openly accepts diverse relationships; even the spouses are becoming more tolerant of infidelity. The app places a high priority on safety and privacy. This makes it particularly appealing to female users, who are always looking for safety.
The surge in smartphone and internet usage also supports the growth, making connections easier at all levels. This is a platform where the users can explore their desires without the fear of judgment, which is very critical in conservative communities where adultery is still a stigma.
Alternative extramarital dating apps
While Gleeden is a pioneer in extramarital affair, other apps also cater to similar needs:
- Ashley Madison
- Illicit Encounters
- Victoria Milan
- NoStringsAttached
- Married Secrets
Takeaways
Different factors, such as shifting societal norms and increased tolerance for extramarital affair, contribute to Gleeden’s increased appeal. Designed by women for women, the app prioritizes privacy and safety, making it especially attractive to female users.
The surge in smartphone and internet usage also supports its growth, allowing users to explore their desires without fear of judgment. As societal norms evolve, extramarital relationships are becoming a part of modern life, providing individuals with new ways to find happiness and satisfaction without the traditional stigma attached to infidelity.
