1. Alternatives to Marriage

2. Categories of Singles % of Total Population 19701999 M F M F Divorced 2.5% 4% 8.5% 11% Widowed 3% 14% 2% 10% Never Married 19% 14% 28% 20% 19701999 M F M F Divorced 2.5% 4% 8.5% 11% Widowed 3% 14% 2% 10% Never Married 19% 14% 28% 20%

3. 4 Social Factors that Encourage Young People to Postpone Marriage 1.Changes in the Economy a. harder for men to play the “Breadwinner” role b. greater job and career opportunities for women 1.Changes in the Economy a. harder for men to play the “Breadwinner” role b. greater job and career opportunities for women

4. 4 Social Factors the Encourage Young People to Postpone Marriage 2.Improved Methods of Contraceptive 3.Demographic Factors relating to Sex Ratio a. Changes in historic patterns b. The MARRIAGE SQUEEZE 2.Improved Methods of Contraceptive 3.Demographic Factors relating to Sex Ratio a. Changes in historic patterns b. The MARRIAGE SQUEEZE

5. 4 Social Factors the Encourage Young People to Postpone Marriage 4. Changing Attitudes Towards Marriage/ Singlehood a. desirability of marriage has NOT changed * instead-change in attitude towards permanence of marriage not the value of marriage 4. Changing Attitudes Towards Marriage/ Singlehood a. desirability of marriage has NOT changed * instead-change in attitude towards permanence of marriage not the value of marriage

6. The biggest change in attitudes has to do with single people's attitudes toward being single

7. Exchange Perspective the recent favorable change in attitudes towards singlehood reflects changes in the rewards and costs associated with both marriage and singlehood

8. Carter and Sokol Reasons to partner Reasons to stay single * Companionship * Shared economic resources * Social approval * Companionship * Shared economic resources * Social approval * Varied sexual partners * Economic autonomy * Independence

9. SHOSTAKS' TYPOLOGY key dimensions: singles attitudes toward marriage key dimensions: singles attitudes toward marriage

10. 1. Resolved singles 2. Wishful singles 3. Ambivalent singles 4. Regretful singles 1. Resolved singles 2. Wishful singles 3. Ambivalent singles 4. Regretful singles SHOSTAKS' TYPOLOGY

11. key dimensions: “…is status freely chosen?” stability key dimensions: “…is status freely chosen?” stability STEIN’S TYPOLOGY

12. 1. Involuntary Temporary 2. Involuntary Stable 3. Voluntary Temporary 4. Voluntary Stable 1. Involuntary Temporary 2. Involuntary Stable 3. Voluntary Temporary 4. Voluntary Stable STEIN’S TYPOLOGY

13. Continuum of Social Attachment (Ross) Not all singles are socially unattached, disconnected, or isolated. Key: intimate, supportive relationship(s) Not all singles are socially unattached, disconnected, or isolated. Key: intimate, supportive relationship(s)