@UseItOrLoseIt1984
But I work with many people both male and female who are much younger than me, say mid 20s to early 30s and whilst some of them are in happy relationships most of them are single and seem to be content enough holidaying with their friends, studying and just doing things on their own including buying houses etc. Certainly none of them are getting married or having children any time soon.......... Is it me or is single becoming the new thing?
Not just you at all. I think it's certainly a "new thing" at least amongst Uni graduates etc. - I have less knowledge about other young people.
Not a single one of my Son's university flat mates have married or had children (nor even partnering up with someone long term) and that's 14 graduates who are now aged 25, and most with good graduate/professional jobs.
DS is now living in a HMO in London in a house totalling 6 males/6 females (different people to his Uni flatmates) most of whom are working in the City, and again, none are married/paired up/have children, all professionals, working hard and playing hard. Age range appears to be from around 22 to 28, a varied mix who didn't know each other prior to living together in the HMO.
Even his old friends from our village, primary and secondary schools don't seem to be getting paired up. As far as we know, as per what he tells us and from other "School Mums" of the same era, none are married and none have children - again most of them being 25.
Thinking further, my 28 year old niece has a boyfriend, they live together, but apparently, as per sister, she has no plans to marry or have children.
My DS is doing just as you say - going on holidays with various friends, socialising with friends, and this weekend he's spending the weekend at Silverstone for the Formula One! He is having experiences etc which is what he's prioritising over settling down and having children. He can't afford both, so is prioritising what's "fun" for him rather than what society expects.
I really do think the bubble has burst, certainly amongst young professionals, many of whom are struggling with housing costs, high tax burdens, high cost of living, etc. Living in HMO's is really no place to bring up children and not even particularly appropriate for a young couple living together. Of course, the wicked combo of low wages, high housing costs and high COL shouldn't be inflicted on our young professionals in the first place, as it's grossly unfair, but there's a massive knock on effect to the long term future/economy of the country if the younger professionals don't have children.