Recent studies show that young people between 14 and 20 years old are happier being single compared to a decade ago. The Institute of Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) conducted research that suggests today’s adolescents are less focused on pursuing romantic relationships, leading to increased contentment with singlehood, according to lead author Dr. Tita Gonzalez Avilés. The trend of more people opting to stay single has been on the rise, raising questions about whether this shift has resulted in higher satisfaction levels in this lifestyle.
Comparison with Singles Today and Ten Years Ago
Marriage rates have been declining worldwide while divorce rates and the number of single-person households have been increasing. Dr. Gonzalez Avilés notes that being single is now more socially acceptable, particularly in Western industrialized countries. The study analyzed data from the longitudinal Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam) in Germany from 2008 to 2021. The research looked at the satisfaction levels of different cohorts at various stages of life.
The study found that adolescents born between 2001 and 2003 were more likely to be single and happier with their single status than those born a decade earlier. However, there were no significant differences between older age groups. The results were published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Factors Contributing to Higher Satisfaction Among Adolescents
While the difference in satisfaction between now and a decade ago may not be substantial, it marks a notable shift among young people. Dr. Gonzalez Avilés and her colleagues suggest that the normalization of singlehood, a shift in attitudes towards relationships, and a preference for personal fulfillment over traditional romantic partnerships may explain this trend. However, further research is needed to confirm these assumptions.
