The threat of being cuckolded is one of the most evolutionarily important threats faced by men especially in light of the fact that humans are a bi-parental species (i.e., children require great parental care from both parents).  Numerous sex differences in sexual behavior have been linked to paternity uncertainty, as such it is perhaps appropriate to ask what the prevalence of cuckoldry actually is.  Given the recent advances in DNA testing, we can now establish the paternity of an offspring, and accordingly determine some factors that might affect cuckoldry rates in different contexts.  Incidentally, DNA testing has led scientists to revise their existing knowledge of the sexual mores of many species, some of which had been thought of as perfect models of monogamy!

Kermyt G. Anderson published a paper in Current Anthropology wherein he looked at the link between nonpaternity rates and paternal confidence.  In other words, are fathers who are less certain of their paternity more likely to have been cuckolded?  For example, men who commission a DNA paternity test are typically displaying greater paternal uncertainty (as compared to say men who participate in scientific studies wherein nonpaternity rates are calculated for a given sample).  The standard nonpaternity rate that is most commonly mentioned across cultural settings is 10%.  This is quite extraordinary in that it is difficult to imagine that 1 out of every 10 children is sired by someone other than the man who is recognized as the father.