Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

9-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Karen Miller

Subject Categories

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Loneliness, Singles, Marriage

Abstract

Loneliness, also known as ‘perceived social isolation,’ is an increasingly common feeling among Americans. It can be critically unhealthy when chronic, and recent revelations about its health effects have garnered a significant amount of media attention. Although statistical evidence tells us that marriage is the strongest defense against loneliness, over a third of Millennials and Gen-Zers say marriage is outdated; and census data shows that living alone is both one of the fastest-growing demographics in America, as well as a relatively stable housing arrangement. After examining existing research and media reports on loneliness itself in some depth, including factors that affect loneliness levels of both partnered and single persons, such as genetic predispositions, personal values such as independence versus tradition, the strength of one’s social ties, and the evolutionary underpinnings of loneliness, this paper ultimately argues that people, regardless of relationship status, should be more willing to engage with each other and their communities, and that society should foster such engagement and work to ease the stigma and sense of shame that persists around being single. Researchers of loneliness, too, demonstrate personal and methodological biases against singledom, including through use of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (“SELSA”), which measures “romantic loneliness” as one of three core tenets, predisposing singles to score as romantically and generally lonely, regardless of their own perception of their relational well-being.

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