When individuals express their happiness with being single, society tends to doubt them. Being single has been unjustly criticized for so long that independence is often met with skepticism. However, data from Mintel’s Single Lifestyles UK 2017 Report reveals that most singles are content with their status, particularly women who fare better than men when embracing solo life. This is an important realization because society often associates singlehood with loneliness and views spending time alone as something negative, a misconception we must overcome.
“In the past two decades, there has been a notable societal shift towards empowering young women with greater independence,” explains Jack Duckett, Senior Consumer Lifestyles Analyst at Mintel. “This includes encouraging them to develop skills traditionally associated with men, such as household maintenance and DIY, reducing their reliance on having ‘a man about the house.’”
On the other hand, men in heterosexual relationships may not be as fortunate. Duckett notes, “Conversely, there is less evidence of a similar trend among young men, with many still lacking skills typically associated with femininity, like washing, cleaning, and cooking, which makes it harder for them to be independent.” He adds, “This can also be linked to women being generally better at forming support networks to discuss their thoughts and feelings, reducing the pressure to seek a relationship. However, as many men still struggle to open up about their emotions, the absence of a partner may leave them without anyone to confide in regarding issues they face. Considering this, it’s unsurprising that unattached males find it challenging to enjoy their single status.”
Now, let’s delve into how heterosexual women are faring. According to Mintel’s data, being a single woman is something to appreciate, not pity. Here are the key findings:
Contrary to popular belief, being single does not reflect one’s inability to find a partner. The data reveals that singles, especially women, enjoy their relationship status. Sixty-one percent of single women expressed happiness with their single life, compared to only 49 percent of single men. This is significant because men often face less scrutiny for being single, while women are sometimes unfairly labeled as sad spinsters. In reality, women are faring better than men in embracing single life.
When single individuals claim to be content with their status, they truly mean it. They have no desire to change it. Sixty-five percent of single men stated that they were not actively seeking a relationship, but the number rose to 75 percent for women. This means that three out of four single women have no intention of complicating their lives with another person. It is a legitimate choice that demonstrates their genuine love for being single.
One intriguing finding from the report is that only 38 percent of singles expressed concerns about being alone, while 54 percent of singles in the 18-24 age range felt worried. This suggests that as we grow older, become more confident in ourselves, and accept who we are, we are less likely to be bothered by societal pressures to be in a relationship. This is a positive trend. If being single is the right choice for you, no one should be able to make you feel otherwise.
Although the report highlighted some drawbacks of being single, such as increased financial concerns, it is encouraging to see that people are content with their decision. Being single is a beautiful way to live, and as a society, we should ease off the peer pressure when we realize that many individuals genuinely enjoy single life. Some people are happier being single; being single is always better than being in a toxic relationship. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all those who are single and loving it.
Source: Mintel
