To think that most women crave companionship, even if they don’t always admit it?

Problem is that most men don’t seem to feel the same.
There priorities are sex, domestic support for their own comfort, sex, possibly spreading their genes, sex and did I mention sex?

Also why I have a dog (first post always nails it!).

I think you have to also look at what companionship means to whoever they are trying to be companions of to understand why so many women don't have it. For men companionship seems very very low on the agenda, a lot will find a woman in the house an annoyance. They don't like to plan days out or events. They don't remember birthdays or special occaisions. They often don't even celebrate Christmas. They like being treated like a teenager at all times and will act the role at the drop of a hat. A scarily large proportion of of them are either violent or cheaters and far too many would sleep with a child if they could get away with it.

Dogs are far superior and they help your gut microbiome. Win/win.

loneliness isn’t an emotion I have ever felt. I’m 50 so maybe there’s time yet! But, to date, if I’m alone, my feelings are peace, contentment, happiness. I’ve never felt sad if I’m alone, the exact opposite.

Men do too!

I am very deliberately socially isolated and am happy that way. I have a lot of contact with people through work which is enough for me. I actively avoid people the rest of the time and have found this is what keeps me on a happy, steady path. My 2 kids have a lot of friends and social engagements so I do have to get involved with that to some extent but I do not have any close family and see friends rarely.

I have to say that as I edge closer to 50 I wonder about what I would do if I needed any sort of care, if I became ill or disabled. My kids are too young to rely on and I wouldnt want them to miss out on living their lives because I had deliberately cut myself off. You can't rely on the state these days for fuck all. I dont have much savings or any critical illness insurance. So now I'm in the uncomfortable position of having to think about building a "village" as a back up plan. I would rather not have a companion but perhaps I need one?

OP has apparently never come across the million ‘loneliness is worse than smoking’ articles. I haven’t personally seen any mainstream sources pushing a ‘totally fine alone’ narrative.

Does having a partner equal being reliant? Can it not be a genuine partnership between equals?

Sometimes it feels like society pushes this “I’m totally fine alone” narrative and while independence is great, I wonder if deep down, many people (women especially) really do long for connection, partnership and emotional intimacy.

I don’t know where you’re seeing this narrative? I feel like it’s the opposite: society endlessly shoves coupledom down our collective throats.

I agree that connection is hugely important but I think if anything women are pushed into believing that can only come from marriage or cohabitation. In fact I think often single people build more durable relationships than couples because they have to work harder at it and not take other people for granted.

I am in a relationship and happy but honestly sometimes I yearn to be single.

Well, my late husband made the last five years of our marriage absolute hell. I did not miss the man he became, and I was enough of a realist to know that the man I married wasn't coming back.

When he was made to leave the FMH by the police, what I felt was relief. When, 8 months later, the police called me to let me know he had died, what I felt was relief. Meanwhile I built a calm, happy household with my two teenage DC, ended up fostering a third, sent them off into the world, acquired cats, carried on working, maintained my hobbies and friendships. There will never be another man in my life. It wouldn't be an improvement.

Yes it is…

It is possible to have community without being in a romantic relationship. It is possible to have companionship without living with someone.

Most people do.

It's a key part of being human

How would you not be lonely if your husband was not around?
Do you have hobbies and friends?

Thank you

I agree OP.

We are social creatures and we are hardwired for connection. I don’t like this disconnected and fragmented society that we live in ( particularly in the West). We do need community for optimal wellbeing.

This hyper-independence is likely a trauma response.

You were desperate for an argument. Still are.

FWIW, I didn’t feel you were. I felt others were trying to prove something, when you’d asked for positive stories of finding love.

Definitely - and it’s important to both men and women

I think it’s important to remember mumsnet isn’t a reflection of the real world.

As for studies about humans needing relationships, just google it, there’s lots of research! If we didn’t we’d be extinct by now wouldn’t we?!

I find I do often have to explain myself at being content and happy single

I have no desire to share my life or have a friend with benefits or want sowmown to take me out/care for me

happy with my cat and friends and being a mum

this has surprised me as I was always in a relationship I hated being alone then found myself pregnant and single and it’s all been absolutely fine and then became preferable

I have been told that once I am pass menopause I will want to be in a relationship again like this is just a weird phase 🙄. I really hope not and know a number of older happy single women I think this is unlikely

Agree with you! Not being able to afford to leave or staying with a husband you don’t like because you don’t want to lose the lifestyle.

And you have a bit of a cheek to say I was “desperate for an argument” on my other thread, my thread was literally “has anyone found love again as a single parent” before I got people like you judging me and telling me to wait to my child is 18. 🙄

Then why quote my comment? Seems like you are the one that wants an argument

Three hours later, three pages of comments and OP has vanished without trace.

Friends are important to me. Romantic relationships are not.