The rise of singlehood is reshaping the world
For most of human history, forming couples was not just customary but essential. Before reliable contraception, women had little control over fertility, and raising children alone was often impossible due to economic hardship. Traditionally, while tragic stories ended in death, happy ones concluded with marriage.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The great relationship recession.”
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As singlehood rises, deep-rooted social norms around relationships and family life are being transformed.