Singlehood: An Alternative to Marriage

Abstract

The paper analyzes singlehood as a positive choice made by adults who have chosen not to marry or re-marry. Census data and surveys indicate the increased postponement of mariage and the growing number of singles in the United States. Twenty in-depth interviews with single men and women reveal a complex set of experiences surrountding the decision to remain single. Despite cultural and psychological pressures toward marriage and discriminatory social practices, respondents testified to personal growth, an increase in opportunities andfriendships, and a sense of independence that validated their present lifestyles. Correlatively, the growth of interpersonal support structures for singles and an emergent ideology of singlehood are identified.