Cheating Was Once Seen as Part of the Fun

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This slideshow provides a glimpse into how cheating and infidelity were once viewed as a normal, even expected, part of social and professional life in the past. The photos, dating from the 1920s to the 1980s, depict office parties, nightclubs, and other gatherings where extramarital affairs seemed to be casually accepted or even celebrated.

Why it matters

The casual attitude toward cheating reflected in these vintage photos highlights how social norms and attitudes around marriage and fidelity have evolved over time. While infidelity was once seen as a common, if unethical, part of social and professional life, today it is widely condemned. This shift reflects broader changes in societal views on gender roles, sexual morality, and the sanctity of marriage.

The details

The photos in the slideshow depict a range of social gatherings, from office parties and club nights to bachelor parties and yacht club events, where infidelity appears to have been an accepted, or even expected, part of the culture. The images show people drinking, dancing, and socializing in ways that suggest a permissive attitude toward extramarital affairs. Some of the photos even seem to directly celebrate or showcase infidelity, such as the "controversial new office fashion" image from 1971.

• The photos span a range of decades, from the 1920s to the 1980s.