As technology and society evolve, social norm in regards to relationships and marriage have been changing as well. As a result, there is an increasing number of single people globally. Despite the wave of change, single people's lives are still painted with a stigma in many areas, academically, socially and economically. This is known as singlism, where single people are discriminated against or viewed unfavourably within their communities because they are not married or coupled up. To improve the lives of single people and stop the singlism we need to focus on three main strategies: debasing stigmas, improving support networks, and educative projects.
To start, miseducated mindsets that fuel singlism need to be addressed and abolished. We turn to language and examine its ubiquity in shaping the way we perceive single people. Words such as ‘lonely’, ‘unhappy’, 'unfulfilled' diminish the idea of being single as something that is undesirable and rightfully problems. There need to be an affirmation for single people about their situation, instead of indoctrinating them into believing that they are doomed to live a solitary life. To accomplish this shift, positive language must be used at all times and in both small conversations or representation media.
Not only should the language be changed, but communities should come together to create more support networks for single people by providing more physical spaces where they can go to connect and socialize. Bars, clubs, and other adult hangout spots become quite intimidating for a single person after some time, so why not organize meetup groups or forums where like minded singles can interact benevolently. Furthermore, there is logical benefit to creating or connecting to organisations or services that help introduce single people to each other. Dating sites and introduction services also provide great opportunities for people to connect and make new friends, as well as potentially find ‘the one’.
Education is key to bettering the lives of single people and eradicating singlism. Every day we are faced with societal pushback against the powers and authority of being single, and such organisations as the National Organisation of Single People are using this as opportunity to advance the message that single life can be normal, exciting and fulfilled. They actively promote the interests, rights and safety of all single people. Educational campaigns or seminars should be setup in schools, places of work and universities which emphasize the power and strengths that are possible for single people. Not only this but courses should be developed to enable those who are single to develop stronger coping skills, manage feelings of loneliness, improve self-esteem and self-awareness.
The lives of single people should be improved through these strategies and lead to an end of singlism. These solutions address all facets of singlism from language to lifestyle. In order for single people to progress and live comfortably in our modern society, these changes must be implemented and carefully monitored for progress.
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