© 2005 the mcgraw-hill companies, inc. all rights reserved. chapter 4 being single preview

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Chapter 4Chapter 4

Being Single

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TopicsTopics Reasons for being single Singles’ health Living arrangements Sexual behavior Employment and income Single parents Older never-married singles

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Guided Learning ProcessGuided Learning Process

1st: Question 2nd: Study 3rd: Mark 4th: Question again 5th: Recite 6th: Check 7th: Restudy if necessary

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Text AssignmentText Assignment

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Chapter QuestionsChapter Questions

What are the basic characteristics of single people in this country?

Why do people wait until they are older to get married?

Why do some people never marry?

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Chapter QuestionsChapter Questions What do people like and dislike

about being single?

Is it healthy to be single?

Do most single people live alone?

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Chapter QuestionsChapter Questions What are people doing sexually and

with whom are they doing it?

Do people earn more money if they are married or if they are single?

How is single parenting changing?

How happy are adults who have never been married?

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Special SectionsSpecial Sections

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Personal Perspective: Personal Perspective: Single FatherhoodSingle Fatherhood

What is it like to be a single father?

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Cultural Perspectives: Cultural Perspectives: African American Single African American Single

MothersMothers

How is being a single mother different for African Americans?

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At Issue Today: At Issue Today: Friends with BenefitsFriends with Benefits

How do some single adults meet their sexual needs?

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A Question of Policy: A Question of Policy: Sex Outside of MarriageSex Outside of Marriage

What is the government doing to discourage sex outside of

marriage?

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DemographicsDemographics Increase in never-married adults:

In 2003 24.4% of U.S. adults 18 yrs. and older were never married

Racial differences among “never-married”: 38.9% of African American 30.9% of Hispanics 22.2% of Whites

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Marital Status of U.S. 2003Marital Status of U.S. 2003

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Sociodemographics of Sociodemographics of Never-MarriedsNever-Marrieds

Age – 73% under 34 yrs. old 25-29 yr. olds rapidly rising

Race – Whites less satisfied with being single

Gender – Women healthier than men

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Categories of SinglesCategories of Singles Voluntary temporary –

never been married and not currently looking; postponing marriage though not opposed to it. Includes cohabitors.

Voluntary stable (permanent) – no intention of marrying (again or for the first time)

Involuntary temporary - never marrieds, divorced or widowed seeking marriage

Involuntary stable (permanent) – become reconciled to their single state.

4 A

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Marital DelayMarital Delay

Most never-marrieds are only temporarily single

10.8% of males and 8.7% of females aged 44–54 yrs never married

• percentage is rising

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Ages of Never MarriedsAges of Never Marrieds

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Reasons for delayReasons for delay

Going to college

Building a career

Increased acceptance of non-marital sexual intercourse and cohabitation

Women form own identity

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Reasons People Remain SingleReasons People Remain Single Deliberate choice

Fear of marriage

Lack of opportunity (lack of available partners!)

Circumstances (e.g. geography, social isolation, or financial situation)

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Advantages of Being SingleAdvantages of Being Single

Self-development / personal growth

Variety of relationships (also includes friendships)

Economic independence — self-sufficiency

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Advantages of Being SingleAdvantages of Being Single

Variety of sexual experiences

Freedom to control their own lives

More career opportunities

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Disadvantages of Being SingleDisadvantages of Being Single

Loneliness — lack of companionship

Economic hardship

Social life organized around couples

Sexual frustration

Not having children

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Health and Well-beingHealth and Well-being Single people: less healthy than

married people — shorter life expectancy

A greater % of married people report being happy vs. singles

SES is bigger predictor of life satisfaction and well being than whether single or married

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Living ArrangementsLiving Arrangements

Living with others For economic and companionship reasons

Since 1970 18–24s living with parents has risen to over 50%

Living alone More females than males After age 45 females living alone increases

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Sexual Behavior of SinglesSexual Behavior of Singles

Most have vaginal intercourse by age 22

Number of sexual partners (30-44):

Females: 4 Males: 6-8

90% heterosexual—male and female

Same-sex contact: 6% males

11% females

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Employment and IncomeEmployment and Income

Marrieds are better off financially than singles

Reasons:

• Married households often have two incomes

• Married need more to support more

• Prejudices against women

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Single ParentsSingle Parents

3x more single parent families since 1970

1/4 of children have single parents

4/5 of single parents are mothers

1/2 of women giving birth are never marrieds

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Concerns of Single ParentsConcerns of Single Parents

Role strain causes constant stress

work + child care + household = no leisure time + no social life

INADEQUATE INCOME Spending enough time with children Inadequate child care Stress decreases quality of parenting

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The Older Never-Married AdultThe Older Never-Married Adult

More well-adjusted to single status than younger never-marrieds

Social support group is usually friends or remote family rather than close family

Happiness depends on satisfaction with standard of living and activities

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