Resources:
“The Experience of Never-Married Women in Their Thirties Who Desire Marriage and Children.” Marcy Cole (1999) Unpublished Dissertation, The Institute for Clinical Social Work. www.icsw.edu. Exploratory and qualitative study based on in depth interviews with women in their thirties who desire marriage and children. Three distinct reactions to being single emerged: The” Free to be Me” group felt that their single status had little or no impact on their sense of themselves or quality of life. The “Sine Wave” group of women described ups and downs in their experience of being single, while the “Sinkhole” group felt considerable distress about being single. Cole differentiates the family histories, strategies of coping, and expectations among the three groups.
Anderson C. and Susan Stewart. Flying Solo: Single Women in Midlife. (1994) N.Y.: W.W. Norton & Co.
In depth study of 90 women ( never married, divorced, and widowed) between the ages of 40-55. Contains many rich vignettes from interviews, as well as description of common themes among the women as they move from early adulthood through middle adulthood. Conducted between 1990 and 1992, the interviews and stories of women’s lives are rich and interesting in and of themselves.
Holland, Barbara (1992) One’s Company: Reflections on Living Alone.
Lovely descriptions and reflections about the experience of living alone.
Trimberger, Kay., (2005). The New Single Woman. Beacon Press.
Based on qualitatively studying the personal stories of 27 long term single women, ages 30-60, Trimberger found that contentment had less to do with marital status and more to do with having grown up in a happy family. Indeed, the women who were long term single had developed skills at relationships and had been able to find real intimacy within their networks of family and friends, as well as a sense of belonging in their communities. As they had become older, wiser, more financially secure, and feeling part of a growing trend (the proportion of single women between the ages of 35-59 are single is now 25%), these women had become more accepting of being single. Provides an especially valuable perspective for women under 35, who may worry about the presumed loneliness and lack of fulfillment in being (and growing older) alone.
Links:
www.amazingsingles.com
Organized geographically, a site that is a clearinghouse for events and groups of interest to single men and women. It has many links and many advertisers. There is a strong focus on dating, as well as connecting with organizations and other singles. A new section, called "Boomer Pulse" addresses issues that might be of interest to older singles.
Meet Ups help people who live close to one another meet up around similar interests. Also lists a variety of groups for single people of varying ages, orientations, and circumstances (e.g. single parents). Contains ratings of the groups, and the opportunity for people to define and develop their own group.
www.nabbw.com The National Association of Baby Boomer Women is the only association devoted to addressing issues concerning 38 million of the healthiest, wealthiest, and best educated generation of women to ever hit midlife, baby boomer women. NABBW is dedicated to: * Empowering women to explore their passions and live life to the fullest. * Connecting, encouraging, and supporting baby boomer women.
http://quirkyalone.net
The Quirkyaone website describes itself as "a community of independent thought on singledom, life, and love." A Quirkyalone is "a person who enjoys being single (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and generally prefers to be alone rather than dating for the sake of dating." There is a questionnaire to help you determine your "quirky" status as well as an on-line community. A helpful site if you are looking to identify with a positive view of singleness, as well as discuss issues and connect with other "quirky singles.
www.singleparenttravel.net
A site designed for all forms of non-traditional parenthood, but built to address the needs of the single parent. Includes such features as tours that are geared towards single parent families, articles, tips, and bulletin boards to converse and share experience with other single parents.
CHICAGO RESOURCES AND LINKS:
www.amazingsingles.com
Organized geographically, a site that is a clearinghouse for events and groups of interest to single men and women. It has many links and many advertisers. There is a strong focus on dating, as well as connecting with organizations and other singles. A new section, called "Boomer Pulse" addresses issues that might be of interest to older singles.
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