A Spinster by Choice: Single Lifestyle is Appealing More to Women

The popular TV show Sex and the City highlights the lives of four successful, independent women living in New York City and their relationships with the opposite sex. Each woman represents a different view on marriage, however overall the prognosis is grim. Charlotte's dream is to marry, but she never seems to find the right guy. Carrie and Miranda have involved themselves in a string of unsuccessful relationships. And Samantha, has no plans to settle down and prefers a life of promiscuity. These are the four women that 20 something women model and look to for advice in today's society. This leaves women of marrying age in one of two states; afraid they will never find a suitable husband, or never wanting to marry at all.

According to a poll done by Time Magazine, 18 percent of single women believe that they will never find their perfect mate ("Single by Choice"). That is a startling fact considering marriage is one of the oldest societal institutions. It seems that today less women believe they will marry, let alone do they believe it will last, or even be the right person. But what has caused this obvious switch to a modern woman who no longer desires marriage? And why would women choose to be single when it traditionally thought to be very advantageous? Both the reasons women stay single and the benefits of this arrangement will be explored in this essay.

The main cause of this switch to the single female lifestyle seems to be the rapid increase of women's independence throughout the past century. Since women were given the right to vote, America has seen a speedy increase in the autonomy of women. Women have began careers and gained education. The careers they have chosen have been increasingly more "masculine". Women have begun to express their sexuality, creativity, and opinions in public arenas. They have made the decision to have children on their own, or not have children at all. This gain in independence encompasses many things which have all contributed to the modern woman's decision to stay single, however none has had as much impact as education and reproductive freedom.