I'm a 32-year-old man who has only recently started pursuing a proper career in tech. I got a bit of a late start in life due to personal circumstances.
I was born and raised in the West, but my parents are South Asian and both have successful careers. They aren't the stereotypical strict Asian parents and have generally encouraged me to do what I want with my life. However, I have a feeling they might eventually put pressure on me to get married.
Nowadays, a lot of people I know are marrying outside their own culture or nationality, although they still tend to marry within the same religion. This is partly because the community in my hometown is quite small.
Personally, I don't really want to get married, and I don't plan on having children either. I'd prefer to have an independent lifestyle, get my own place, do my own thing and expand my social circle.
This might be a controversial opinion, but I also don't want to follow the same lifestyle as my parents or many other South Asians living in the West. Some parents seem to expect their children to follow a similar path to them rather than encouraging them to build a completely different life for themselves.
Of course, it's my personal choice, and I value the freedom that comes with being single. However, I sometimes wonder whether I'll regret it later in life.
For example, by my mid-40s and beyond, most of my friends and peers might be married, in relationships or raising children. I could end up feeling lonely or left out while everyone else moves into a different phase of life. I might also miss out on experiences such as raising children and eventually becoming a grandfather.
Another concern is getting older. If I don't have a partner or children, I might not have anyone around to support me when I'm elderly, especially if my friends have their own families and responsibilities.
On the other hand, marriage comes with its own challenges. Financial responsibilities, the cost of raising children, potential infidelity and the possibility of a relationship breaking down are all things that put me off marriage.
So, for those who have chosen to remain single or decided not to have children, how do you feel about that decision?
What do you see as the biggest pros and cons of staying single for life? Do you think it's possible to have a fulfilling life without marriage and children, or is loneliness something that becomes more difficult to deal with as you get older?
I'd appreciate hearing different perspectives.