Although there are 2.3 million weddings in the United States every year, there are still many people who prefer being single. The reasons that people decide to stay single can range from bad experiences in previous relationships to simply not having time for a relationship. Here are four primary reasons that many men, and women, actually prefer being single.
A Sense of Independence
Many women find that being out of a relationship gives them a chance to rediscover their freedom and independence. Being single can be a positive experience for women who feel they’ve become too dependent on their partners. Studies suggest that many women become healthier after they divorce or separate from their husbands, including a decrease in blood pressure and weight.
Many women prefer being single because it allows them to reconsider what they want out of a relationship. In many instances, women start dating because they feel like it’s what they’re supposed to do. This creates pressure to enter a relationship regardless of whether it’s in their best interest or not.
Men have similar concerns, but the significant difference is many men are jaded because of the financial cost of divorce. Many men tend to feel embittered and even afraid of getting into a committed relationship because of the fear of having to pay child support, a future ex’s legal fees, and especially spousal support. This is especially true for men over 40 who are public figures and successful in business. The more successful the man, the higher the possibility that he will be far more reluctant to get into a formal relationship, especially marriage, unless the woman is is receptive to a prenuptial agreement.
Relationships Demand Hard Work
Another reason that men and women often prefer being single is that relationships require a lot of work, maintaining the relationship itself, and taking care of a shared household. This can be burdensome when it’s not an equally weighted responsibility. Women generally spend more time doing domestic work when they’re in a relationship than they would otherwise. Men fear that the combination of the demands of being committed and the accountability many women require may interfere with their autonomy. Men also feel that commitment can inhibit their ability to thrive personally and professionally.
Women in relationships spend more time completing domestic duties than men do when the two start dating. In an era when women are seeking employment at levels not seen in decades, this means that women have to fulfill work duties and then handle the bulk of domestic responsibilities at home. This leaves women feeling physically and emotionally exhausted from having to pull double duty at home and in the workplace. Given this choice, some women prefer being single.
Time for Personal Pursuits
While women have plenty of reasons that they prefer being single, men do as well. Men often tend to be a bit more detached than women. In other cases, men enjoy the emotional high of dates even if they don’t want to get into a relationship. In both cases, men who prefer being single have time to advance their agendas, explore their artistic sides, or just indulge their wanderlust. This fulfills the need for many men to simply embrace the side of themselves that prefers being alone. Men often prefer to pursue these parts of themselves when they’re younger before settling down later in life, or after being in a jaded boring relationship during their early years.
This is the Best Era for Being Single
Men and women sometimes have different reasons for being single, but there are also common reasons why both prefer being single. Among other things, there have been few times in history when it’s been so easy to be single. Marriage was often seen as a way of having and protecting children, but in Western society, fewer people are choosing to have kids than in previous generations.
Dating was the process of looking for your permanent partner, which usually resulted in marriage. Marriage also used to be the end goal because it was considered the socially acceptable context in which couples could have sex. However, fewer high school students are dating than at any point in recent history. This is part of a larger trend of people who prefer being single. Sex outside of marriage has also slowly become more acceptable in Western cultures, and more single people are having sex than married people today. Relationships and marriage are simply not the end goal for many people in the 21st century.
Single Conclusion
There are still many good reasons to get into a relationship, but it’s become easier than ever before for people to stay independent. People who prefer being single have more time to commit to their personal pursuits and the independence to explore interests that they might not have time for in a relationship. Since being alone can be physically and mentally healthy, people often choose to end relationships or avoid them entirely. Finally, since fewer people believe that dating and marriage are ideal, it’s easier than ever for both men and women who prefer being single to feel pressured into relationships.