A record number of young people aged between 18-35 are single than ever before

SharpshooterTom · 25-03-2019 01:47AM #1

A survey conducted by NORC general social survey of Americans aged between 18-35 has shown the number of people who are choosing to remain single is now at an all time record high (51.2%) up from 33.4% in 2004.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6840733/No-thanks-Cupid-51-young-Americans-single-survey-says.html

This is clearly a growing trend of the millennial generation, less marriages, less children, (possibly even less sex too). Fewer people are into companionship and prefer living in their own, which in the midst of global overpopulation crisis, isn't the worst thing to hear.

Although some focus primarily is actually on the record number of women in their 30s who are choosing to focus on careers, rather than motherhood or relationships (which also I think is a good thing).

I'm also interested to see what the #MeToo movement has done to change attitudes amongst millennial women towards men, perhaps many are increasingly skeptical of being involved with a man, more weary of them, realising they don't need a man etc. I've heard quite a few younger women who are choosing to avoid men now generally and even instead seek out sperm donor's if they ever do want children.

What do you think is the reason for the overall rise in young single people?

NIMAN · 25-03-2019 01:55AM

They are all turning weird!

Prefer to sit on their phone with their 600 virtual friends.

Jim Bob Scratcher · 25-03-2019 01:59AM

NIMAN wrote: »

They are all turning weird!

Prefer to sit on their phone with their 600 virtual friends.

Or they are wising up and realizing that marriage is a load of bollocks!

KungPao · 25-03-2019 02:00AM

Porn.

Young men just play with their todgers too much while watching incest and shemale porn, and they find women these days too much work. Much easier to have a quick fap.

ArchXStanton · 25-03-2019 02:03AM

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

A survey conducted by NORC general social survey of Americans aged between 18-35 has shown the number of people who are choosing to remain single is now at an all time record high (51.2%) up from 33.4% in 2004.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6840733/No-thanks-Cupid-51-young-Americans-single-survey-says.html

This is clearly a growing trend of the millennial generation, less marriages, less children, (possibly even less sex too). Fewer people are into companionship and prefer living in their own, which in the midst of global overpopulation crisis, isn't the worst thing to hear.

Although some focus primarily is actually on the record number of women in their 30s who are choosing to focus on careers, rather than motherhood or relationships (which also I think is a good thing).

I'm also interested to see what the #MeToo movement has done to change attitudes amongst millennial women towards men, perhaps many are increasingly skeptical of being involved with a man, more weary of them, realising they don't need a man etc. I've heard quite a few younger women who are choosing to avoid men now generally and even instead seek out sperm donor's if they ever do want children.

What do you think is the reason for the overall rise in young single people?

I think feminism sold some people a pup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSFUCf92Pg4

Finnish Exports · 25-03-2019 02:05AM

I would find it very hard to believe young women are avoiding men because of 'metoo'.

If they are then we live in some seriously messed up puritan times.

Gimme A Pound · 25-03-2019 02:12AM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

I think feminism sold some people a pup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSFUCf92Pg4

I'd say the number of women, who think their biological clock will wait for them, is virtually non existent (If any).

Those (U.S.) stats are pretty grim though. Surely the internet has something to do with it. The timeline correlates.

One eyed Jack · 25-03-2019 03:02AM

Guillermo Few Spout wrote: »

I'd say the number of women, who think their biological clock will wait for them, is virtually non existent (If any).

Those (U.S.) stats are pretty grim though. Surely the internet has something to do with it. The timeline correlates.

I’d argue it has more to do with the fact that societies have evolved - men have less to offer women who are now quite capable of generating and maintaining their own wealth and lifestyles without the need of a man to provide it for them - essentially what was once a need, is now a choice, and more and more women have the means, and are choosing, to provide for themselves.

Gimme A Pound · 25-03-2019 03:07AM

The self sufficiency ship sailed for women a long time ago though. Relationships aren't just about financial support - why aren't people pursuing them because of other needs I wonder...

One eyed Jack · 25-03-2019 03:14AM

Guillermo Few Spout wrote: »

The self sufficiency ship sailed for women a long time ago though. Relationships aren't just about financial support - why aren't people pursuing them because of other needs I wonder...

They don’t have to, I suppose, is the most likely explanation. They’re having all their needs met without having to invest a whole lot of themselves in a relationship.

SharpshooterTom · 25-03-2019 03:20AM

One eyed Jack wrote: »

They don’t have to, I suppose, is the most likely explanation. They’re having all their needs met without having to invest a whole lot of themselves in a relationship.

This, and also as I said in my OP an increasing number of women will seek out sperm donors instead if they want children. I think this option will rise massively over the next 20-30 years.

25-03-2019 03:23AM

Anecdotal but I've noticed a few friends perfectly happy with the odd Tinder fling instead of looking for something more serious. And there's the spoilt for choice aspect as well where it could be harder to settle when there are so many fish in the sea.

Apart from that, it's less realistic that teaming up with someone and having kids is even financially possible. So there's less incentive. And for women, careers and student debt mean the idea is less appealing, and understandably so. Even labour mobility is more and more important and relationships complicate that.

Personally, I am perfectly happy being in a long-term relationship. Never did the online dating thing, have no plans for kids, love having someone to go through life with, financially secure.

Canis Lupus · 25-03-2019 03:52AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Anecdotal but I've noticed a few friends perfectly happy with the odd Tinder fling instead of looking for something more serious.

Was just about to say. It's easier than ever before to have something casual and if you're any way good looking almost on call. Why have relationships if you're young and you can score a shag by swiping right when you feel like it.

freshpopcorn · 25-03-2019 04:22AM

I think a lot of us are just to picky now. A lot of people before used just settle with somebody.

niallerire · 25-03-2019 04:27AM

NIMAN · 25-03-2019 07:04AM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I think a lot of us are just to picky now. A lot of people before used just settle with somebody.

More entitled perhaps?

"Why should I settle for such and such, I want a George Clooney or Brad Pitt lookalike, I'm entitled to one. I can have anything I want".

???

RacoonQueen · 25-03-2019 07:40AM

Guillermo Few Spout wrote: »

why aren't people pursuing them because of other needs I wonder...

Vibrators?

NIMAN wrote: »

More entitled perhaps?

"Why should I settle for such and such, I want a George Clooney or Brad Pitt lookalike, I'm entitled to one. I can have anything I want".

???

Or they want someone who is good to them rather than settling for an asshole / bitch just so they can be with someone.
Still know plenty of people who do stay with people who actually make them unhappy, i think texting etc allows couples to interact more in the early stages of relationships as well so we probably get to know each others annoying / assholey traits far quicker than they did in other generations. Some things that you can put up with when you're in love with someone are very offputting when in early stages of a relationship.
Both genders probably have higher standards also, I mean I'm not going to go chasing a guy who is changing jobs every few months, has no ambition etc

suicide_circus · 25-03-2019 07:47AM

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/18/womens-rights-happiness-wellbeing-gender-gap

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/sep/19/uk-survey-finds-sharp-decline-in-happiness-of-young-women-and-girls

whatever the changes in society that is leading people to prefer the single life, i suspect these or similar changes are the ones leading more women to report themselves as unhappy.

freshpopcorn · 25-03-2019 07:52AM

NIMAN wrote: »

More entitled perhaps?

"Why should I settle for such and such, I want a George Clooney or Brad Pitt lookalike, I'm entitled to one. I can have anything I want".

???

That is what I meant!

Riva10 · 25-03-2019 07:54AM

Why buy a cow when you can get milk for nothing.

screamer · 25-03-2019 08:08AM

It’s a bit sad really, they’ll pass 35 into 40 and start realizing they’re left on the shelf. A hookup won’t be there to help you if the **** hits the fan or love you unconditionally. Just really plays to the materialistic selfish sort of lifestyles that the younger generations believe necessary to be a successful person

mvl · 25-03-2019 08:36AM

I assume these stats are also influenced by what is called hikikomori in Japan, or NEET profiles (neither employed nor in education or training). for example << In 2015, there were nearly 10.2 million NEETS ages 16 to 29 in the U.S., or 16.9% of that age bracket’s total population >>
From the article quoted by OP, "Pew researchers also found the number of adults younger than age 35 without a steady partner increased to 61 percent in 2017, compared to 56 percent in 2007. " -> so I would rather link the 5 percent increase in 10 years to the financial crisis than #metoo.

Wanderer78 · 25-03-2019 08:40AM

RacoonQueen wrote:

Or they want someone who is good to them rather than settling for an asshole / bitch just so they can be with someone. Still know plenty of people who do stay with people who actually make them unhappy, i think texting etc allows couples to interact more in the early stages of relationships as well so we probably get to know each others annoying / assholey traits far quicker than they did in other generations. Some things that you can put up with when you're in love with someone are very offputting when in early stages of a relationship. Both genders probably have higher standards also, I mean I'm not going to go chasing a guy who is changing jobs every few months, has no ambition etc

Texting in any stage of a relationship is a fcuking disaster

25-03-2019 08:49AM

I would say it is almost certainly down to the increased availability of the internet and smartphones. Staying at home on your own isn’t as lonely ir boring as it used to be, although the web isn’t a good enough substitute for family.

titan18 · 25-03-2019 08:55AM

As a perpetually single person, it sucks.

TomSweeney · 25-03-2019 09:09AM

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

This, and also as I said in my OP an increasing number of women will seek out sperm donors instead if they want children. I think this option will rise massively over the next 20-30 years.

All these kids being raised with no fathers can't be good thing for society.

pburns · 25-03-2019 09:11AM

the record number of women in their 30s who are choosing to focus on careers, rather than motherhood or relationships (which also I think is a good thing).

Really

?

TomSweeney · 25-03-2019 09:21AM

pburns wrote: »

Really?

Yes, you see all men are rapists and we are ruled by an evil patriarchy ...

suicide_circus · 25-03-2019 09:22AM

screamer wrote: »

It’s a bit sad really, they’ll pass 35 into 40 and start realizing they’re left on the shelf. A hookup won’t be there to help you if the **** hits the fan or love you unconditionally. Just really plays to the materialistic selfish sort of lifestyles that the younger generations believe necessary to be a successful person

to a certain degree, we've been sold a pup and there may be an awful realisation that there was a certain amount of wisdom in the old ways.

casual sex / hook up culture is definitely fun and liberating (although as im in my 30s ive never known it any other way) but as a path to ultimate fulfilment ? possibly not. turns out getting what we want dosnt make us happy.

TomSweeney · 25-03-2019 09:25AM

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I think a lot of us are just to picky now. A lot of people before used just settle with somebody.

Gimme A Pound · 25-03-2019 09:58AM

NIMAN wrote: »

More entitled perhaps?

"Why should I settle for such and such, I want a George Clooney or Brad Pitt lookalike, I'm entitled to one. I can have anything I want".

???

Why aren't you saying "I want a Margot Robbie etc lookalike"?

TomSweeney wrote: »

Yes, you see all men are rapists and we are ruled by an evil patriarchy ...

Someone suggested it's due to the me too thing, it's not actually proven though.

I knew it wouldn't take long for this to be deemed the women's fault, even though there is that MGTOW thing and both men and women use Tinder, and porn/masturbation as a substitute for intimacy is more likely to be the preserve of men.

I don't think it's me too or women being self sufficient now (that's been a thing since the 90s) or MGTOW though, I think it is Tinder

And it's sad, because the need for a relationship is a fundamental one I'd have thought.

A record number of young people aged between 18-35 are single than ever before

Comments