A study from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology recently did a study that shows single women find married men far more attractive than single men. They take the saying "all the good men are taken", very seriously, they aim to take them. This phenomenon of single women going after married men is called mate poaching. Some claim that mate or partner poaching is a result of evolution. "From an evolutionary standpoint -- which basically posits that everything we do stems from the drive to propagate our species with lots of big healthy babies -- it makes sense that at some level we'd always, instinctively, be on the lookout. Especially considering that, according to Schmitt, women seek particularly virile men when most fertile, a few days before ovulation." (Ladies Home Journal)

Others say poaching is a result of people wanting what they can't have. "Many people are attracted to the opportunity for challenge," says Arthur Aron, PhD, professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. "Studies show that we are more attracted to people when we overcome obstacles to get them than when we don't."(Ladies Home Journal)

While it is a given that mate poaching is generally unacceptable, it is still a fact that 15% of college relationships are a result of enticing a person from a relationship with someone else. Workplace relationships also involve mate poaching to some degree.

As for the wife, there are many theories that she should be working harder to keep her man. Sometimes there isn't a whole lot a woman can do if the other woman catches the man at a stressful time in his life or during a mid-life crisis. The best thing the wife can do to save the relationship from ruin is to remember to take care of herself. Self esteem, confidence, and good grooming can go a long way.

As for the married men being poached, or stolen, all of the blame cannot be lifted from him. While he may know it is best to not pursue or flirt with females other than his wife, he may not realize that it is also unwise to begin a friendly relationship with someone away from home. A daily lunch date with a co-worker, or frequent telephone conversations should signal to the man that he is getting too close for comfort. Keep those business lunches to large crowds and don't give out your home or cell number.

While some of these poached relationships succeed, for the most part if you can poach a mate, it is only a matter of time before someone else catches his eye. If you really find a married man incredibly attractive, you need to ask him to introduce you to his single brother or friends, not try to steal him away from his wife and kids.