Why so many single people?

[davidh121]

I think it's a little hard to just gauge based on an observation at IHOP, but as to the actual question a lot of people - particularly women are focusing on their careers and marrying much later in life (if at all). Then we have society and media that seems to influence and sometimes encourage the behavior of cheating (i.e. Ashley Madison site).  Social networking I believe is also sometimes criticized to having a damaging effect on people formulating close tie relationships.

[CharmedPhoenix]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I like being single.  I tried marriage and didn't like it.  I was raised with the expectance that I'd get married and have babies and live happily ever after, totally dependent on my husband the rest of my life, but that was mom's dream, not mine.  I like being independent and not having to account to a partner or raise kids.  Everyone has their path in life and this is mine. 

[bungholiotgn]

I am single, but it is by choice and I have been single for oh, 3 years? I date and hang out with ladies, but I do not want to get in a relationship right now simply because I have a lot on my plate. Full time work, running an at home business and also finishing up my college degree. I simply do not have the time to keep a lady happy and I would rather not have any stress as 3 jobs is enough for me. Sometimes I wish I wasn't single, but I have my priorities. As for older couples splitting, its too stressful nowadays. With people losing jobs, houses, money, its hard to keep people happy. I imagine they split because of too much stress.

[kqa]

I think it's better to wait than to settle. I know a couple who has been married over 30 years and they fight all the time. I couldn't do that. I raised my kids alone after I was divorced and they had a much healthier environment.

[shepherdchik]

It's unfortunate to see some many single people and single Mom's and Dad's. I am a single Mom. I would love to get married again but it's hard to convince the person you are with when you are both still trying to rebuild your lives. I hope in the coming years we can be in a better place and afford a place of our own and get married 

[sherryinutah]

I can not help but notice all the single people. I see single fathers and mothers. I even went to IHOP and saw a table of females and went to Denny's and saw a table of males. What is happening to the family unit? Why people prefer to be single rather than build a rewarding relationship with someone special?

What's wrong with being single?  I've been on both sides of the fence and I love being single and living life as an individual.  I was married for 25 years to a great man but when it's over...it's over.  I experienced the family unit but the sad truth is that....

we no longer live in a time where it makes sense to create a "Ward and June Cleaver" type of family.

That's my way of saying that the scenario where a husband works to financially support family while the wife does her job of nurturing children and taking care of home is a thing of the past.  It's a luxury that most people cannot afford considering our economy.

This is something that has been gradually changing for a long time and some of us choose to flow with the change.   

[vgonzales1]

Now and days vows and commitment are just not taken serious sad to say

[candyterrius]

Single life is the best. Less baggage and more freedom. I don’t think life on earth requires you to marry and raise a family. Being married is a personal choice. Earth is simply a tough school. We’re here to learn to develop our soul and earn spiritual merits.

[lvstephanie]

I think there are several different reasons for this (although not all apply to each person)...

1) Moving: Gone are the days when you lived in a 25 mile radius from where you were born. People seem to be moving much more than they used to. And as soon as they move to one place, a few years later they're off to some other destination. I know after high school, I moved out of my hometown to go to college. Then moved again to go to grad school. Then again for a different degree. Then again for my first job. Then again for my second (and current) job. For others it may be the military. Or jobs. Or a cheaper place to live (esp. in this economy). And all of this has been from late teens to mid 30s -- the time when people are getting involved in relationships. It's difficult to have a relationship only to have to move away from that person or have one or the other abandon their own desires for the future.

2) Lack of responsibility: It is easier to live a single life than it is to be in a relationship. Being single, you only have to worry about yourself, whereas when you're with someone else, you have to be concerned about them too. As a single, you can skip town for the weekend without giving much thought, but when you are married, you have to consult with your spouse, children, etc. before going on any type of vacation.

3) Lack of morals: As Beyonce says "If you like it / Then you should put a ring on it" But all too often couples will, well, couple within a few months of knowing each other instead of holding out until marriage (or at least until they are truly committed with each other). People are giving into their desires and passions too quickly before really getting to know the other person. Sometimes they value the other person purely for the sex, and don't really want anything to do with the other person other than as a booty call. And if you can get the sex outside of marriage, then what's the point of being married?

4) Divorced Parents: More and more people are growing up in households with divorced or separated parents. The kids see this and know the hurt they went through growing up being tossed back and forth between parents, or worse left feeling abandoned by a parent that just left for good. Because of this, the kids-grown-up don't want to marry and cause hurt for their own children. For them, marriage it a source of hurt, not of joy.

5) Past Relationships: People may have been married or in a serious relationship in the past, but are now jaded after having that prior relationship fall apart. Cheating, physical abuse, emotional stress, drugs, alcohol... These all can lead to a relationship failing. And after it happens once, what's to say that it won't happen again?

6) Maturity: I also think that some people purposefully wait before they get married. A lot of the reasons why marriages fail is because of a lack of maturity. So because of this, a person may choose to wait until their life is stable and they have matured. He may wait until after his first big promotion when he can afford a mortgage and children. She may wait until after she gets her law degree and is accepted into a practice. Or a person may just know themselves for living too much by their feelings and may want to wait for the wisdom of age to guide them better. Dr. Laura Schlessinger has even been known to urge people to wait until their 30s before marrying; that people who marry in their 30s tend to have a more successful marriage than those who rush into marriage in their early 20s.

[loriecampbell]

Unfortunately society is too focused on other things to be able to commit to working on life long relationships. There's way too many distractions along with the decline in moral values and different ways of thinking. I don't think being single is a bad thing though. There are actually some who shouldn't be married or have children. What amazes me is how couples think nothing of having babies but don't care to get married..or use the excuse of "we're waiting till we have time"....oh really? lol 

[nadarama]

I know what U mean! I hate seeing the family unit broke down! Im a single mom myself and I feel that people forgot about marriage nowadays and it hard to find a dedicated man!

[articx]

Life can be easier for someone who chooses to remain single. They will have more freedom to do what they want, and won't have to deal with expectations placed on them by a mate (ie. buying a gift on Valentine's day, etc).

[ghunter]

Some people just do not want to be married, but than some are so picky and just cannot find the right person.

[dauna]

There are lots of reasons why more people are single these days.  Once people were expected to get joined at the hip and remain there.  Now there are more options for relationships--or to not have a relationship.  I  don't think the family unit is a thing of the past--but it is much more diverse than it used to be.

[deisha718]

Many prefer to be single because life is so hard now and if you are single no responsibilities just yourself but later on you will not be happy. Me i stay single till im 36 and got married just this year because I dont want to be hurt and I want relationship will be forever and Im so lucky that I found a guy that is so nice and the best.

Congrats on your marriage, I feel the same way about relationships.  You're not the first person I've seen who waited into their 30s to get married.  It's a lot better to wait than to marry too soon to the wrong person.