SINGAPORE: A young individual recently shared on social media that her parents are not supportive of her decision to remain single for life in Singapore.
She explained in a post on the r/askSingapore forum that she has no intentions of “dating, getting married, having a family, or having children”.
“I’m an extreme introvert, to be honest, and I stress a lot when having to manage with children and family (experience from being eldest child with four younger siblings). I just plan to study hard, get into local Uni, be employed in a job I’m passionate about, and exploring adulthood life,” she explained.
“(My) parents think I’m too young to say all these, but I feel like staying single will make my life less stressful. I’m someone that values freedom and quietness in a home. I understand loneliness is a huge factor, but I enjoy spending time alone, and I’m pretty much used to it,” she added.
Looking for perspective, she asked the online community, “How is single for life in Singapore like? How is the experience genuinely like, especially in the longer run when older?”
“I would advise you to find a nice life partner. Life will be so much more meaningful.”
In the discussion thread, many Singaporean Redditors who chose to remain single for life shared their thoughts and experiences.
One commented, “Going well for me. I’m also an introvert, and it is such a joy to be able to come home and bask in my quiet flat all by myself after a long day of socialising at the office.
“As for loneliness, being alone does not mean being lonely. If you’re feeling a bit isolated, just go visit with family or friends, or go to the library, museums or malls, or if you like the outdoors, go for a hike or a run. Plenty to do in SG by yourself.”
Another added, “I’m a single Gen Z, late 20s. Life is great. No partner, no problems, have a lot of friends of both genders to chill, travel and hang out. I enjoy solitude, so coming home to my empty apartment every day feels cathartic. Eat whatever I want, buy whatever I want.”
Some Redditors also encouraged her to follow her own path and not let others’ opinions, including her parents’, dictate her choices. They pointed out that as long as she was happy and confident in her decision to stay single, she did not need to justify it to anyone. Life is ultimately about personal fulfilment, and if she finds joy and contentment in living independently, that should be enough.
Still, a few Redditors agreed with her parents, thinking she might be too young to make such a big decision right now. They suggested she keep an open mind and not completely rule out relationships in the future because her perspective might change as she gets older.
They also reminded her that being in a relationship isn’t a bad thing, as long as she’s with someone who adds value to her life and makes her happy.
One Redditor wrote, “You can decide not to have children, but as a 56-year-old man I would advise you to find a nice life partner. Life will be so much more meaningful.”
Another shared, “I’m in my mid-30s, am an extreme introvert too, can go weeks self-isolating and not talk to anyone. I also used to think I’ll stay single for life. Until two years back, I met someone by chance without looking for one.
“We didn’t end up being together, but that experience completely overturned my view, and I’m now actively looking, so you may really never know what is in store for you.”
More Singaporeans are choosing to stay single—but is it for good?
More and more people in Singapore are choosing to stay single, and for a lot of them, it is not because they cannot find a partner. It is just not a priority. In interviews with The Straits Times, a number of single men and women shared that they do not see marriage as a must-have milestone.
This shift in mindset is also reflected in the numbers. According to data from the Department of Statistics, the percentage of single women aged 25 to 29 increased from 62.4% in 2013 to 70.1% in 2023. The trend is similar for single men, with the percentage rising from 80.8% to 83.8% over the same period.
That being said, the study also found that as people get older, fewer of them stay single. This suggests that many are not completely against relationships but are just putting them on hold while they focus on other parts of their lives.
By their late 40s, more people have settled down. In 2023, only 14% of women aged 45 to 49 were still single, and for men in that age group, it was 13.6%. This pattern shows that while staying single is becoming more common, it is not necessarily a lifelong decision for everyone.
Read related: Most young Singaporeans say they’re single by choice because “it’s not important, and we’ve got other things to worry about”
Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
