Infidelity, paternity disputes and bastardy (IPDB) seem to be on the increase in global context, and it is worrisome because of its effect on the couples, children and society at large. Thus, this article examines the rate of IPDB, its causes, consequences and effective ways of managing them in Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered on 400 respondents for this survey. Discussion of findings is underpinned with Social Exchange and Feminist Theories.

Findings show an increase in infidelity among salaried workers (m= 4.3.6), self-employed (3.9), urban centres inhabitants (m= 3.6), polygamous households (m= 4.1), monogamous households (m= 4.7), illiterate people (m= 4.2) and literate people (m=3.8). Causes include neglect of family responsibilities (m= 4.3), sexual incompatibility (m= 3.8), bullying (m= 3.

7), poverty (m= 4.1) and covetousness/greed (m= 4.8). Consequences include poor partners’

mental health (m= 3.2), violent behaviour (m= 4.7), withdrawal syndrome (m= 3.8), divorce (m= 4.6) and low productivity at work (m=4.0).

Traditional family interventions prevent divorce (m= 4.3), religious bodies mitigate divorce (m= 4.5), therapeutic counselling relieves mental health (m=3.6), mediation centres transform relationship (m= 3.4), social works adjudication removes social stigmatization (m= 3.9) and DNA test reduces suicidal thought (m= 3.9). The incidents of infidelity, paternity dispute and bastardy generate complex social as well as legal challenges in Oyo state, Nigeria. Thus, regular studies of these phenomena remain the only means of understanding their dynamics and mitigating the consequences.