Why are single people looked down on so much?

[IsThereAnEchoInHere]

It just doesn’t make sense to me?
Why do people care so much?
It’s one thing if they want or can’t live without a relationship, but why do they impose it to others?

If someone is treating you worse because you are single, that's a) bizarre (never experienced that despite being happily single for the last 13 years) and b) a reflection on them, not you.

I have come across some women that seem to tie their own identity up in their relationship status, like they feel like they are only worthy if they are part of a couple, and don't quite get that I don't feel the same way. Maybe they could be classed as 'looking down on me', but I don't see it that way. It makes me feel like superwoman 😂😂 I guess if I was less secure in my choices, it could make me feel like you do.

I'm 'single single' too and I've never felt in anyway looked down on.

I've also never felt I've had second class citizen treatment

Sounds like your over thinking something because it's not something anyone else has noticed

Yes, realistically this is the case. You can't buy one chicken kiev. Costs that two people often share are out of your price range.

But @IsThereAnEchoInHere I admire MYSELF for not collapsing in to a mediocre relationship. I can't do it. I suppose if a woman lowers her standards enough, she can be in a couple. So I feel relieved and proud that that's not me. Because it's a lot of people.

Just reiterating what many of us have already asked, what makes you think people look down on single people?

@ISeeMisledPeople I feel the same. If people are basic enough and insecure enough to look down on me, I feel a bit superior to them

@Funkyblues101

it's hard to overrule millions of years of sociology.

So Erving Goffman and Seymour Martin Lipset were cave men? Or dinosaurs?

I don’t know anyone who looks down on single people. Are you sure you aren’t either sensitive to it or projecting?

I don't think the op is wrong.

Lots of people cling to a relationship even if it's not great because their perception of being single is so bad. They never experience being single or tuning in to them self first and foremost. A significant percentage of miserable women in a couple think like this. A lot of socialising is quite couply especially when children are small. I never do that obviously. So am I missing out? I used to think perhaps. Now I never think about it.

But over time you stop caring what the basic people think and you realise that they people you admire don't pity you or look down on you.

I know exactly what you OP. They're are some people who... maybe look down on is the wrong word... then again they seem to think they are superior in some way just because they are in a relationship.

Like they've somehow "won" at life. Or that the single person must be flawed somehow and that's why they are single.

None of this suggests that anyone is looking down on anyone, unless the fact that I’m not wearing my glasses means I’ve missed something

I don't think people look down on single people.

I do think some people have low self worth and tolerate poor behaviour from a partner because they don't want to be alone, but don't think that translates into them judging anyone who is single

Been single most of my adult life. I think most ppl are to busy in their own lives to really care if someone is single or not. Only annoying thing is my recently coupled up friend who keeps asking if I’ve been looking for someone. Just because she was desperate for a relationship she can’t understand why I’m not.

We have loads of single mates, male and female.

I honestly don't know anyone that looks down at single people. Why on earth would they?

There are fairly regular threads here, one is running at the moment, where there are numerous posters talking about single women as people to be pitied.

What about the regular threads about shall I go to the cinema, theatre, pub, cafe gig on my own in case other people think I'm a sad loser?

I think it's interesting that so many people deny absolutely that this is a thing.

Some people do! Not everybody. Not confident people. Not happy people. Not people who would be happy single. But there ARE people who feel ''sad'' for you because you're single. My mother feels sad for me. Her own relationship is not what I'd want. My Dad is so co-dependent, a total yes man. My mother hasn't grown in her marriage at all. 55 years of homeostasis. Awful for both of them but they believe they are lucky.

I don't know anyone who would look down on single people. In fact, I feel rather envious that they know their own minds and are forging their own independent paths.

🙄

It's a mix,
If my ex wanted to reconnect then I'd consider the possibility, but until then I'm happy being single. Although if the opportunity happened with another good friend then I'd consider, but in general I prefer friendship first before considering dating.

When I was single, I was sometimes the recipient of remarks about 'being able to get a man', and after divorcing my first husband, about 'being able to keep a man'. Also, I have heard this type of remark being made about other women. The culprit is often a certain type, already adequately described by others here.

Nobody looks DOWN on single people @IsThereAnEchoInHere No-one I know anyway.

All I get sick of, is the endless threads on here from some posters singing the praises of being single and how much happier single women allegedly are and how married women are allegedly downtrodden handmaids and how single women are allegedly free and happy, and how married women are allegedly depressed and angry all the time and will live many years less than their single counterparts.

Now I do look down on THAT. It fucks me right off!

I've been single for years and have never felt looked down upon simply for the fact that I'm single. I have however felt looked down upon for being a single mother.

Female, single and not looked down on. I do find the assumption that you are dining/booking a travel ticket/hotel or any other fee, that you are doing it as a couple. The times I have to change from 2 to 1 option when booking something as default setting is 2. No big issue, really, I suppose.

You will only feel looked down upon if you feel that way.

You have a choice to not let anybody make you feel that way.

You don't have to take anything people do or say seriously. We are all fools.

Can you explain what you mean OP?

I am completely single and am totally unaware of anyone looking down on me as a result.

I don’t think anyone does this. Actually that’s not true one rather odd man at a wedding once told me (at length) about his young adult children’s relationships and asked after the status of my own children. Other than that I don’t think anyone else is bothered if you are married, in a relationship, dating, shagging or just poddling along.