Relationships

Off Limits: The Psychology Behind Pursuing Taken Men

Finding the right romantic partner is one of our biggest challenges in life. In a dating market where it feels like all the good guys have gone, some are tempted to “steal” a taken man. Here’s why.

By Olivia Flint3 min read
Pexels/Nataliya Vaitkevich

Psychological research suggests that 10 to 20 percent of new relationships among heterosexual couples are formed from mate poaching. This is when a person actively pursues an individual who they know is in a committed relationship. It’s an incredibly unhealthy way to find a partner, as so many people end up hurt and experience psychological wounds, and the poacher usually acts this way due to their own personal shortcomings.