Letters to the Editor
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breaking news: I exist!
I have no words on this subject. I am word-free.
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Really?
Hm. So a woman is more likely to be happy single than in a poor to mediocre relationship? Stop the presses :) While the buzzword is crappy, the demographic certainly exists - those of us who have chosen not to settle for someone because "they'll do". I don't think it means that given the choice between singledom and optimal relationship that being single would win out... But it does mean that we're looking for a lot more compatibility in our mates, in addition to someone who doesn't get in the way of the life we have lead as single women who support ourselves for so long.
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Ooops
That should have read "single women who have supported ourselves for so long"
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Great final line
"By the way, in my experience, it is occasionally difficult being single. Rumor has it, that's true of marriage, too."
Now that you've made clear that the article you're reporting on / linking to is worthless.....
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Breaking news flash
Women 25-44 might be happy, snow expected to fall tonight at the North Pole, and Bush says "everything's A-OK" in Iraq. More after these messages.
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What is behind trend of look for trend?
Make happy me for finally see report of happy busy womens, but am extreme tired of trend and buzzword that look at life through kaleidoscope that change with every little twist. Make dizzy me.
What is next? Happy busy divorce women between age 45 and 55 that trendster call fleemale?
Svutlana
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Freemales?
hmmm interesting perspective on this newly coined word. I thought it might be a synonym for "bachelor".
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So in short
Money does buy happiness. Exactly what I've been saying for decades.
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Viva Freemales!
Hooray, this is good news. I'm glad that as an unmarried 31-year-old woman, I'm not assumed to be an pathetic old maid while my male counterparts are seen as fun-loving bachelors. Because I certainly don't feel or live like an old maid.
However, sometimes these "single versus married" stories seem too black and white to me, as if there is nothing in between, when in reality most of us are often in between. I've been in a committed relationship with the same guy for four years. However, we don't live together, we aren't contemplating marriage at this time, and we definitely have our "own lives." Our relationship feels like the perfect arrangement to me and I don't look at it as merely a means to the end goal of marriage (though I'm open to it changing someday). So, I wish these "single versus married" stories were more nuanced. I'm not sure that the single versus married model makes much sense anymore.
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Typical cases
It is wonderful how The Guardian finds such typical examples to illustrate the point...
Becky Lee, 34, a freelance TV producer from west London, has been single for two years, following the breakdown of a seven-year relationship. At first, she admits, her instinct was to dive back in and she dabbled in Internet dating. 'Then I realised I was having more fun being on my own. Now I absolutely put myself first. I am always doing something - out clubbing or listening to bands.
It is great being single if you are young and healthy and have family, a circle of friends, plenty of money, and a job that involves exciting creative work.
Not so much fun if you are working 16-hour shifts in a hospital, have no one to come home to, and no one to go on vacation with, no one to share the housework, or if you get old and/or sick.
Of course, you find that out later.
For many people who don't have glamorous jobs the enticing thing about marriage is precisely that it provides a network of relatives, responsibilities, and roles to be played. It gives people a chance to be needed.
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Sadly...
Being a Mr Mediocre myself, it saddens me that women these days have such high expectations. A 6 out of 10 just won't do. You have to be at least an 8/10. Already there are alot more single men than women, but it seems as if the men are used to being single. Now that women are becoming 'Freemales', it will become even harder for everybody to find suitable partners.
For me as a single guy, I can't wait until sex-robots become widely available. I'd love to get children, though I have no idea how I'm going to solve that problem :) Women are blessed with the ability to have children. It's an unfair world...
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Free Males
Then there are the 'free males' - unattached single men. I'm no fan of marriage (what car would we drive that only worked 50% of the time..?), and have some money, and don't need to take care of kids, and ... I'm enjoying life more now than ever. After years spent doing thing for others, or curbing your own needs over and over again, it is nice not to have to do that so much any more.
However, my girlfriend wants to get married. She's never been married. I don't think this will happen - I think we'll just live together if necessary. Well ... we are in our 50s and yes, life is not going to be all 'nights out' and champagne. As Amerigo points out, this 'fun' lifestyle is good for young middle class woman with money and health. But that won't last forever.
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Amen to companionship
Not so much fun if you are working 16-hour shifts in a hospital, have no one to come home to, and no one to go on vacation with, no one to share the housework, or if you get old and/or sick.
Holla. Yay for you if you don't get lonely, but that's not a trick I've ever been able to master. I'm not miserable in my 30s because some intense societal or family pressure to get married and have babies (although my aunties would love to see both!) I'm sad in my 30s because I'm just plain lonely. I would love to have someone to give me hugs and kisses and soft words at the end of the day, to share stories with, to travel with, to have meals with, to go to concerts, the movies, all those fun things. I do them all anyway because what else am I going to do, sit home on the couch and watch my life go by? But the charm of being a 'solo traveler' has worn off.