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

[UnmaskedAmberFinch]

I’m not saying every woman is desperate for a relationship, plenty are happy being single.
But in general, I feel like most women do want meaningful companionship at some point in their lives, whether that’s romantic, deep friendships or close family bonds. 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.

AIBU to think that the need for companionship is pretty universal and not something to be ashamed of?

I’d love to meet someone but the reality is, the ones I am meeting, means I’d have to settle and I’m not doing that. Would rather be alone.

I think I get what you're saying OP I'm just not sure why it matters.

I think you're right that some people, women especially, might push the whole 'I don't need no man' ideal quite a bit but I think you have to have some empathy as to the place this would be coming from for them, to reject any notion of a romantic relationship. It usually comes from a place of hurt and rejection and speaking out and saying, no I don't need that any more, is a form of taking their power back from those men that hurt them.

People reject relationships of any sort usually because they've been hurt in them, not beacuse they're lying to themselves or others (the bit that doesn't matter)

I'm currently single and quite happy, I'm older and wiser and know what I'd now want from a relationship and know what I won't give of myself to a man. I will hopefully meet someone one day, but for now I'm very happy alone and 'don't need no man'

I think most people want companionship but not necessarily romantic partnership.

I don’t mind “companionship” but do not want somebody in my home full time nor do I want to compromise. I also don’t want to perform emotional and domestic labour for another person.

I don’t think women desire companionship to a greater extent than men.

Also even if you think people are lying to themselves…..

…….so?

This basically.

Yep. Society definitely does not push independence. Quite the opposite. Being single is seen as a failing.

I am a great animal lover but they aren’t people and can’t really be compared to as such. They can’t have a conversation with you or real connection on a human level.

Friendship can be great but as someone said succinctly above it can be hard if they have children and / or partners and you don’t: they are more important to you than you are to them.

I am married now but was single for a long time and I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t a priority for anybody. I can see that if you have friends in the same boat it wouldn’t be like that.

All of this. Many women have either experienced shit relationships or have witnessed them and are saying 'No thanks'.

Companionship? I have friends, I have work, I have hobbies, I have cats. Nothing more is needed.

I do know what the OP means.

There’s this ‘why on earth would you want to be married?’ (or in a relationship) mantra which definitely permeates MN.

I think good connection is very positive for well-being but poor destructive connection is as destructive as poison to mental health. People protect themselves especially if they have had poor connections in the past.

I disagree. Obviously, we shouldn't stereotype, but I would say that this statement is more likely to apply to men.
I know plenty of women who live happily solo, or as single people. Even those of us who are married often crave or need time alone. I love time alone and can't imagine ever wanting "companionship" again, if my husband wasn't around for any reason.

I don't have children, and don't see any of my family members, both of which are a huge relief, to be honest.

I don't.

I am neurodivergent and find socialising and people in general exhausting.

I prefer my own company and the company of animals to having to make conversation with people.

As for romantic relationships, I don't need them either as there are very few men who have brought anything positive into my life.

YAB a bit U @UnmaskedAmberFinch.

Most people crave companionship, even if they don't always admit it.

Of course they do. The overwhelming majority of women want to to find someone to spend their days with. If it is not a partner, then they have to make do with a dog or a cat. How many single middle aged women do you know that live on their own and have no pets ? Widows don't count.

why would you think you speak for ‘most women.’ ?

I think it’s BECAUSE of your ‘most women actually want/need someone else’ that many people have been - timidly at first - saying ‘actually I don’t.’

and people don’t believe them for some inexplicable reason, because they themselves do.

being happy single is a realisation wgivh would serve many many women very well indeed.

you speak for you. And that’s where it ends.

Do you see the irony at all with what you’ve posted?

you and the op wonder why people keep pushing their narrative that they’re happy single.

and yet you cannot comprehend whatsoever if they do and think ‘most’ people want relationships.

leaving single people through choice absolutely no choice other than to keep saying it.

Not sure where society is pushing ‘I’m totally fine alone’ vibe? I see a lot of social media about women staying single and ‘protecting their peace’. Every woman I know has deep connections with friends and/or family.

Being independent doesn’t mean having no connection to other humans. Weird take.

‘Make do’ you are deluded.

I am happily single. Have been for years with no plan to change that.

Companionship is not the same as romantic relationship. Humans are social creatures.

Most of them! I know several women in their 50s who live alone, and only one has a pet. They all work full time and go away a lot so an animal would be restricting. This image of middle aged women home alone with their cat on their lap is very far removed from those I know.

Humans are social creatures.

I’ll fix that for you. Some humans are social creatures, some are not.

I didn't acquire any pets until I had been single for over 3 years. And technically I am a widow, but only because my husband died during the divorce process.

And cats or dogs really aren't 'making do'. They're a complement to the life women live outside the home with their work, their friends, their hobbies, any volunteering that they do. Like anything else, life is what you make it - and for many of us, what we make it without a man is rich and fulfilling.

I would say most do. Humans are wired for connection and meant to be sociable and look to others for safety, support, love etc. There will be some people exceptions to the rule, or people who have made a conscious choice after bad experiences. So no I don’t think you’re unreasonable.

It’s widely talked about that dating and relationships today are very challenging for a myriad of reasons, and so even if we want that relationship/ companionship, there’s no guarantee it can be found.

Again, we are being told how we can live our lives or what is deemed acceptable. How I chose to life my life is up to me, not what society thinks.

Of course. Nowhere have I suggested it should be otherwise.
I am just describing why it is blatantly obvious that the majority of women don't enjoy being alone.