This is the statement that a female friend of mine made recently and so devoutly defended, which sparked a debate between the two of us. 

My friend, who had a fairly recent breakup, insisted that all guys are “liars and only out for one thing” (sex, of course.)  And she specifically called me out and a few of our other friends for being dogs. 

However, when I interrogated her about her own past relationships, she admitted that she views guys as simple “cuddy buddies” and just objects to flirt with.

Now, I have been in a relationship with the same girl for seven months and I’m not going to lie and say I’m the perfect gentleman all the time, but in defense of the true gentlemen out there I say to women, “Not ALL men are dogs.”

Even though some social scientists may say that sex is as essential as food, water, and shelter, and biology says the man’s primary function is to spread his seed to reproduce as much as possible, not every man desires a woman for what she has to offer physically.

In writing this, the phrase “nice guys finish last” comes to mind and I feel that this statement holds some truth in many situations, especially in regards to the dating game. 

It seems to me that far too often the opportunity to be with one of the nice guys is the one opportunity that many women have the easiest time passing up on.

Now, I know that a lot of guys may get mad at me for admitting this, but women actually have more power than they know. 

The reason that so many men do not get their act together and so many relationships fail so easily is because women allow them to carry on with the most ignorant and disrespectful behavior. 

As long as there is a woman who finds a man at his worst attractive and acceptable then why should he do any better alone or in a relationship? 

I believe you should love someone for who they are and not for whom you want them to be, but I also believe that people should know what they desire in a romantic partner and not settle for less.

I have quite a few female friends who have constantly been through relationships that failed because their man was unfaithful, immature, disrespectful or abusive, but I also have male friends who have had the same problems with women in the past. 

Going back to my example with my friend who prompted me to speak on this issue, apparently women also view men as “cuddy buddies.” 

So if women have the same tendency to view men as objects used just for physical intimacy, then why should the man be the only one labeled as a dog?

I don’t know if people put themselves in bad relationships due to self-esteem issues or boredom with everyday life or whatever their case may be, but I believe there is a true man out there for every heartbroken, lovesick woman who can cure her of the false idea that all men are the same.

My point here to both the ladies and the gentlemen is that chivalry is not dead and people just happen to make the mistake of looking for love in the wrong places.

But for the women who do decide to spend their time and efforts chasing a dog instead of a man, I just hope that you train him well. 

• Marcus Thompson