Extra-marital affair equals happiness in a marriage

An enduring marriage and an extra-marital affair with lots of sex is the perfect formula for happiness, a controversial sociologist has claimed in her new book. According to Catherine Hakim, an "unforgiving, puritan Anglo-Saxon" attitude to adultery is damaging married life in Britain, driving couples to divorce rather than strengthening the family.

The bestselling author has argued in 'The New Rules' that a "sour and rigid English view" of infidelity is condemning millions of people to live frustrated "celibate" lives with their spouses. In a book bound to provoke controversy, Hakim likens faithful husbands and wives to "caged animals" and argues that they should be free to explore their "wild side" with lovers without the threat of divorce. She claims that meeting a secret lover for a casual encounter should be as routine as dining out at a restaurant instead of eating at home.