I think there is a growing trend for both men and women to remain single and/or childless. At least I've seen articles in the NYT as such. I can imagine there are ugly things like the divorce rate that may be part of things, but I also think there are cultural expectations of the traditional family unit as the norm that have changed and are less the social demand now. I think career demands of both working spouses could be part of it, but there are probably sociological experts that have sliced and diced the causes. As a single heterosexual male, and fairly comfortable with that, there would probably be a time when I'd be an outlier or worse. The male version of an "old maid". I think it is good that society has become more accepting of the various permutations of relationships. If I did an informal survey of my married associations, maybe as many as half have stayed in their marriage for financial reasons or for the children, but have some basic core dissatisfactions with their relationships. It seems less so in older couples who have gotten used to their spouses shortcomings, real or imagined.





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