Adultery is extramarital sex that is considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal consequences, the concept exists in many cultures and shares some similarities in Judaism , Christianity and Islam.
Historically , many cultures considered adultery a very serious crime , some subject to severe punishment, usually for the woman and sometimes for the man, with penalties including capital punishment , mutilation , or torture. In countries where adultery is still a criminal offense, punishments range from fines to caning [ 5 ] and even capital punishment. Since the 20th century, criminal laws against adultery have become controversial, with most Western countries decriminalising adultery.
However, even in jurisdictions that have decriminalised adultery, it may still have legal consequences, particularly in jurisdictions with fault-based divorce laws, where adultery almost always constitutes a ground for divorce and may be a factor in property settlement , the custody of children , the denial of alimony , etc. Adultery is not a ground for divorce in jurisdictions which have adopted a no-fault divorce model.
International organizations [ which? In Muslim countries that follow Sharia law for criminal justice, the punishment for adultery may be stoning. In some jurisdictions, having sexual relations with the king's wife or the wife of his eldest son constitutes treason.
The term adultery refers to sexual acts between a married person and someone who is not that person's spouse. In criminal law , adultery was a criminal offence in many countries in the past, and is still a crime in some countries today.
