Singles/Never Married Persons
Conclusion
The increase in those remaining single may, in part, reflect changes in social attitudes and structures related to marriage and singlehood. The lives of the never married are varied and complex. Similarities and differences that exist between the never married and other marital groups are more likely to be influenced by individual characteristics such as gender, age, social class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and level of education, than by marital status group membership. Further research that examines how these and other factors intersect to shape the lives of the never married within and across different cultures and social contexts will help us to learn more not only about those who remain single, but also about the structure and experiences within marriage, families, and social roles and relationships more broadly.
See also: CHILDLESSNESS; COHABITATION; DATING; LONELINESS; SEXUALITY; SOCIAL NETWORKS
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Other Resources
U. S. Bureau of the Census. (1999). Current Population Reports. From Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1999. Available from http://www.ameristat.org.
LORI D. CAMPBELL
Additional topics
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaFamily Theory & Types of FamiliesSingles/Never Married Persons - Social And Historical Context Of Singlehood, Psychosocial Characteristics Of The Never Married, Culture, Ethnicity, And The Never Married