A shocking 34 percent of mothers reported having had an extramarital affair after the birth of their children, according to a study released yesterday.
More than half, 53 percent, of women polled in the “Sex and the American Mom” survey also said they had entertained the idea of straying on their spouses.
“That’s a far cry from just fantasizing about it, which I think is an important distinction,” said Pilar Guzman, editor-in-chief of Cookie magazine, which conducted the survey in conjunction with the “AOL Body” Web site.
“They’re thinking ‘when and how can I do this?’ ”
Celebrities whom moms would most like to romp with included acting hunk George Clooney, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Ironically, Obama’s appeal to married moms probably stems from his perception as a family man, said Guzman.
“He seems like such a great dad and husband. Rather than going for the bad boy, they are fantasizing about the ideal husband,” she said.
The poll – conducted online in the past six months – quizzed 30,000 mothers.
It’s not just women who are cheating.
Almost half of the women polled – 48 percent – said they suspect their hubbies have had or are having an affair.
“The somewhat startling statistics invite a closer look at the state of sex and the American marriage,” Guzman said.
“We are trying to get at the problems of marriage, which often play out in the bedroom.”
Indeed, more than half of the women reported feeling inhibited in the boudoir when their children are at home.
Only 36 percent said their attraction to their husband is the same as when they married him.
Sex ranks at the bottom of most women’s list of tensions, below other high-stress topics such as money, in-laws and raising the youngsters.
But most women just don’t think they’re getting enough.
A considerable 77 percent of the women said they want more sex and 29 percent said they’d rather get more action in the sack than lose 10 pounds.
“The intent and the desire to have desire [for their husbands] is there. That to me seems like the most optimistic piece of the survey,” said Guzman.
One way lots of those ladies are keeping the home fires stoked is porn.
Nearly a quarter of the respondents ‘fessed up to looking at dirty pics and movies.
Another 21 percent use booze to get in the swing of things, and 17 percent like fantasy play.