To be or not to be married: An interview with ‘Happy Singlehood’
Seldom does a single person divulge their relationship status and receive positive reinforcement. On the contrary, singles usually encounter responses sympathetic in nature, as though there is a need for consolation because of their lack of a partner. There is a common societal belief that single living is a temporary block rather than a personal choice.
Consequently, the idea of a committed relationship — usually institutionalized through marriage or a civil union — as this charming and necessary piece of life is ingrained into our psyche at a very young age. It seems as though we are never given the opportunity to form our own opinion on marriage or to even consider a life of being single. Instead, we allow societal expectations to affect our decision-making process in the years after adolescence.