More Women Ditch Marriage For The Single Life & Sisters Lead The Pack

Marriage, women, men, Pew Research, dating, single, life — Source: FG Trade Latin

Women in the U.S. are saying goodbye to marriage and embracing a single life. According to the latest data available from the Pew Research Center in 2023, only 34% of single women are looking for a forever partner, versus 54% of single men. But this trend isn’t new.

Women’s expectations around marriage have been shifting for quite some time. A 2023 study conducted by the Aspen Economic Strategy Group found that 51.4% of women between the ages of 18 and 40 were single, neither married nor cohabitating with a partner, up from 41.8% in 2000.

For some, marriage simply isn’t a top priority. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 57% of single ladies say they’re not currently seeking a relationship or even casual dating. Many are living their best single lives, enjoying their independence, and focusing on other life priorities as key reasons. Even among those who were “single and looking,” there was no universal goal. Women are interested in a range of different relationship types and taking their time to explore their needs before they commit to a long-term partner

Interestingly, this unique trend varies among different races and ethnicities. As of 2023, 61% of Black adults were unpartnered, compared with 45% of Hispanic adults, 38% of white adults, and 35% of Asian adults.

Honestly, who can blame them? With the rise of frustrating dating apps and social media making real communication harder than ever, finding lasting love in today’s world isn’t easy. More and more women are choosing to prioritize their mental health and overall well-being over romance, and for many across the U.S., that choice is leading to a more fulfilling, balanced life.

Studies Show Women Are Enjoying More Fulfilled Lives Without Marriage

As previously reported, a study published on Oct. 24, 2024, in Social Psychological and Personality Science revealed that single women are generally enjoying life more than single men. Conducted by University of Toronto psychologists Elaine Hoan and Geoff MacDonald, the research explored the dating attitudes and well-being of over 5,900 individuals who were not in romantic relationships. The findings revealed that single women, on average, reported greater satisfaction with their relationship status, overall life satisfaction, and even sexual fulfillment compared to single men. They also expressed a lower desire for romantic partnerships, including marriage.

The most striking difference appeared in relationship status satisfaction, where single women reported significantly higher contentment than their male counterparts. According to the researchers, this may be largely due to women’s stronger social networks, which offer emotional support and fulfillment outside of romantic relationships. These non-romantic connections appear to play a key role in single women’s well-being. Additionally, women may be less inclined to seek out romantic relationships because they often shoulder more emotional labor in partnerships, making singlehood feel more rewarding by comparison.

Are you a happy single lady? Tell us in the comments section!

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