The exact reason for why more women are having affairs and open marriages is unknown. It is assumed that the cause for this phenomenon is a societal attitude change in the way extramarital relationships are viewed. However, a study performed by the University of Washington's David Atkins, indicates that the number of women having extramarital affairs increased by 45 percent between the years 1991 and 2006 while 90 percent of U.S. residents still think all extramarital affairs are immoral. The problem clearly lies elsewhere.