I will be completely honest, and as a male, I am quite offended by the generalizations made by the OP. To be quite honest, I would say, find a different group of people because clearly your view of men and even women is skewed, by my perspective at least.

I'm not a young guy and just turned 48. In my entire life, I have not cheated or considered cheating to be anything to be defended or done. Quite honestly I find it appalling that you know as many men as you do that have the attitude you state here. I am not questioning that you've come across this, but I am saying my experience with men and women alike is quite different.

I do not know a single male that not only has cheated but does it openly! I have not known any guy in my life, friend or not that would go to such lengths as to defend themselves or another at all, but again this is my experience in life and what I've seen. Granted I've seen skewed perspectives on cheating but I will add that I would not judge at all that it is the male typically or female but the same on both sides. men or women that find cheating to be a defensible action have messed up values and morals, period.

Again I am a little offended that men here are singled out as if 'we' generally as a whole have some kind of open attitude toward this and find that it is ok to do. I don't think it's true but I do believe that the ones that do think this way are loud about it and proud so they are going to be more noticed. men that are faithful and monogamous are not out there making this known. They go about in their relationships normally and quietly because it's the way to be and nothing to be bragged about.

I'm sorry you've experienced such sH*tty men in your life that are this way but I wholeheartedly believe if you look hard enough you'll see the ones that are good ones, whether you're involved with them or just friends, there are good men out there that believe women are treasured by them and they think highly of them, believe in faithfulness and having integrity.