Oklahoma ranks No. 5 on adultry list despite National Marriage Week at the Capitol
So two fascinating things were announced today.
First, marriage advocates celebrated the bonds of wedlock with a press conference at the state Capitol by announcing National Marriage Week. Just a few minutes later, a news release was sent to several Oklahoman reporters and editors about adultery in the state.
Turns out, Oklahomans like to fool around.
Here’s a news release from AshleyMadison.com, which caters to married people looking to hook up with people other than their spouses.
It seems all is not OK with Oklahoma City’s married couples. OKC just topped the annual list of the least faithful cities in America, following in the philanderous footsteps of only four other major cities. According to new data from extra-marital dating site AshleyMadison.com, Oklahoma City experienced over 14,000 sign-ups in 2012, more per capita than nearly any U.S. city. In addition to taking the #5 spot in the country for sign-ups, Oklahoma City also boasts another dubious distinction; city with highest percentage of members posting photos in their Private Showcase (national average 78% compared to 92% in Oklahoma City). Below please find the complete list of America’s Least Faithful Cities:
1. Washington, DC
2. Austin, TX
3. Houston, TX
4. Miami, FL
5. Oklahoma City, OK
6. Richmond, VA
7. Boston, MA
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Lincoln, NE
10. Phoenix, AZAshleyMadison.com’s founder & CEO Noel Biderman wasn’t surprised to see Oklahoma City move up two spots from last year’s list (from #7 to #5). According to Biderman, “The cities in America that are most closely associated with traditional values often turn out to be the most unfaithful places. Adultery transcends geography, financial status and values.” AshleyMadison.com has attracted more than 17 million users seeking discreet extra-marital relationships across 25 countries since its launch.
And, just as a reminder, here’s information that came from the state House of Representatives:
Lawmakers should not ignore the positive effect of marriage on health, education, public safety and the economy, according to one state lawmaker.
“A growing body of research suggests that marriage is good for you. It improves your health, wealth and longevity. The research also overwhelmingly shows the dramatic positive effects that intact families have on children,” said state Rep. Mark McCullough, about today’s press conference in recognition of National Marriage Week at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Mike Jestes, representing Marriage Network Oklahoma, spoke at the conference about, how as the son of a single mother and brother of two men who have spent time in prison, he knows firsthand what happens when children are born out of wedlock.
“Marriage matters to kids. Every child deserves to have a mother and a father in the home that contribute differently and to the success of that child,” he said.
Over the last few years, McCullough has held three legislative studies on family fragmentation and divorce and has brought several of the recommendations coming out of those studies to the Oklahoma Legislature. The studies found that children from broken homes are 12 times more likely to be incarcerated. Meanwhile, state spending on the criminal justice system has grown 510 percent since 1982 and Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates. Those same children are also three times more likely to be expelled and to receive lower grades. “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” conservatively estimates the resulting taxpayer cost of divorce (largely through public assistance programs), at $112 billion per year nationally and $430 million annually in Oklahoma. It shows family fragmentation is at the epicenter of much of what state government is paying for.
