Men are unwilling to sacrifice

The argument

Relationship fulfilment depends on the balance between the desire for self-gratification and willingness to sacrifice the desire for mutual benefit. Studies show that men are less inclined or willing to sacrifice their immediate satisfaction for long term fulfilment. In real terms, this means that when presented with the opportunity to cheat, men are more inclined to put their own needs first. Women in the same situation, are more likely to weigh up the costs and benefits before committing infidelity. This reasoning might explain why men are statistically more likely to cheat.

Context

Humans are naturally wired to seek self-gratification. If this urge surpasses the desire to create a meaningful romantic partnership, the likelihood of infidelity increases.

Premises

Counter-arguments

The self-gratification/self-sacrifice dichotomy is false. There are innumerable other factors that go into shaping relationships and their overall health.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The dichotomy is stipulated rather than established, and the counter's objection stands: communication, circumstance, commitment and much else shape a relationship, so a single axis running from self-gratification to sacrifice cannot carry the explanation. [Rejecting P2] "Studies show" appears with no source, sample or measure, and even at face value an average difference on a willingness-to-sacrifice scale does not transfer to a specific act. The conclusion also does not reach the position it is filed under: a general preference for immediate satisfaction would predict infidelity in contented relationships as readily as in unhappy ones, so it cannot show that men cheat because they are trapped.