With National Forgiveness Month (September) in mind, the following survey question was asked, “What five things would you consider hard to forgive?” Number 1 should be the hardest to forgive, then continue down to number 5- the least arduous.” Those who answered the survey question were also asked a few demographical questions about themselves.
Over 200 people were surveyed between the ages of 25 – 64.
We discovered a very interesting trend among men under 40 that happened to be almost a polar opposite to men over the age of 40.
Regarding what is considered the hardest to forgive, most men under 40 noted issues that are a matter of ego or self. However, many over the age of 40 began their lists with matters affecting their family or loved ones, and issues relating to self were almost last.
On the other hand, the similarities in women’s answers were based on another demographic. In this instance age was not a factor. The order of the offenses on their lists appears to be based on whether or not the women are parents. Over 48% of the woman who are parents started off listing issues that could affect their children while 39% of those without children began their list with issues that could affect self.
Yet most all of the men and women, regardless of age, race, and marital status listed ‘infidelity’, ‘murder’, and ‘sexual violation of a child’.
The majority of people surveyed answered as such:
Women With Children: Women Without Children: .
1. Sexual Violation of my child 1. Cheating/ Infidelity
2. Murder of child/family member 2. Physical Abuse
3. Lying 3. Betrayal by someone I trust
4. Physical Abuse of self 4. Murder of family member
5. Brazen Cheating/Infidelity 5. Sexual Violation of self/child
Men Under 40: Men Over 40: .
1. Cheating/Infidelity 1. Harm or Murder of a family member
2. Lying 2. Sexual Violation of a child
3. Treachery 3. Cheating/Infidelity
4. Murder of a family member 4. Stealing
5. Child Abuse 5. Lying
** Other popular answers were: verbal abuse, wife/girlfriend having a child by someone else, Malicious Property Damage, and Losing money.