Engaging in conversations with my female friends has opened my eyes to many things. Surprisingly, many of them view relationships the same way men do: difficult to form and even harder to mold. However, the thing almost every woman will agree on is female dissatisfaction with the male species.

As a male, I have no choice but to resort to defensive strategies, pointing out that not all men are dogs – including one adorable example in front of them.

But who is wrong in this situation? Are all men really dogs? And if so, why?

I’ve been in search of wife material for practically my whole life. It’s partially because of my own desires, but also because I know that any woman taken home to my grandmother must be worthy of her presence. Therefore, I have formed my future wife’s ideal characteristics in my head; her characteristics both act and react with my own traits to create a pseudo-balance of routine and spontaneity. She will be my equal, my opposite and my complement all rolled into one.

Entering into a relationship is not something to be taken lightly. But finding a wife among the present selection is not very likely because today’s women are more focused on other things. Academics? Highly doubtful. Impacting social change? Obviously not. Much more shallow things such as possessions and/or associations? You got it.

Perhaps college is no longer the sweetheart-locating place it once was touted to be. This proves confusing – and frustrating – for one in search of more than a one-night stand.

But then came the realization: If men are dogs, it’s because women have made us that way. Don’t be fooled; everyone plays their part. But it is a cyclic phenomenon that no one addresses.

Be honest. Ladies, have you ever overlooked someone who was perfect for you because of someone else – someone who you knew was worth only a couple nights? Fellas, have you given up morals and ethics to score with a woman? All this does is make both men and women alike believe that the behaviors around them are acceptable – when, in fact, they are without a doubt despised.

What’s even more disturbing is that the “dogs” seem to be getting the most action. This, in turn, makes the once-good guys reevaluate their personalities and retreat to doghood. By the time a woman wants husband material, it’s too late – and the fault lies in both hands. And later, when a man is in search of a wife, he only finds empty shells of femininity already used and abused by the outside world.

Now is the time to change. If you know you’ve been doing wrong, don’t wait until you become undesirable to make it better. Before you know it, you’ll be 35, half-alive and completely without someone to share your life with because you opted to have sex with anyone and everyone while in college.

You don’t have to be a fiance or a spouse right now, but there will come a time when you want to be. Don’t let it be too late.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.