More Women Are Choosing to Stay Single

Why does society still view us as desperate?

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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This article explores the growing trend of women choosing to remain single, and the societal stigma they often face. It features the stories of women like Megan, who opted for single motherhood, and Leanne, who embraces her independence despite her traditional Chinese family's expectations. The article also highlights the financial and practical challenges of single living, as well as the joys and freedoms that come with it, as described by psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo and entrepreneur Cindy Gallop.

Why it matters

The article sheds light on the evolving attitudes towards singleness, particularly among women, and the need for greater societal acceptance and support for those who choose this path. It challenges the persistent notion that single women are somehow incomplete or unhappy, and celebrates the empowerment and fulfillment that can come from decentering romantic relationships.

The details

The article profiles several women who have chosen to remain single, either by choice or through alternative paths like single motherhood. It explores the financial and practical challenges they face, such as the 'singles tax' and the difficulty of finding affordable housing. The article also highlights the growing trend of women creating their own communities and support systems, such as co-owning homes with friends or living in intentional communities.

  • In September 2024, Megan had her first consultation for IVF as a solo-by-choice mom.
  • In 2025, Taylor Swift announced her engagement to Travis Kelce, highlighting the global obsession with 'completing' singledom through marriage.

The players

Megan McKee

A 26-year-old woman who is 14 weeks pregnant after deciding to use a sperm donor to become a single mother, a decision she felt was a 'normal thing to do'.

Dr. Bella DePaulo

A 72-year-old psychologist and author of 'Single At Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life', who has studied the joys of singledom and worked to dismantle the idea that single women are miserable.

Cindy Gallop

A woman in her early 30s who, while visiting her family in Penang, Malaysia, was confronted with the traditional Chinese cultural expectation that she should be married by that age.

Leanne Yau

A 27-year-old woman from Hong Kong who grew up in a traditional conservative Chinese family, but has chosen to remain happily child-free and unmarried, which goes against her parents' expectations.

Lucy Partington

A 35-year-old freelance beauty editor who co-owns a home with a friend, as an alternative to trying to buy a home on her own in the challenging London housing market.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't want to wait for something or someone in order to do that.”

— Megan McKee (Cosmopolitan UK)

“Families come in so many shapes—foster families, adoptive families, donor-conception families. I think solo motherhood is just a little bit behind in being understood.”

— Megan McKee (Cosmopolitan UK)

“This donor had actually written a letter to a future child, which made me cry.”

— Megan McKee (Cosmopolitan UK)

“If I don't respect the opinion, why would I take it to heart?”

— Leanne Yau (Cosmopolitan UK)

“I'm one of those people who is happiest on their own, and I am deliberately being very public about that, because we do not have enough role models that demonstrate you can live your life very differently from the way that you're expected to, and still be amazingly happy.”

— Cindy Gallop (Cosmopolitan UK)

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear next steps or future newsworthy moments related to the story.

The takeaway

This article highlights the growing trend of women choosing to remain single, either by choice or through alternative paths like single motherhood. It challenges the persistent societal stigma and expectations around singleness, and celebrates the empowerment, freedom, and fulfillment that can come from decentering romantic relationships. The article serves as an inspiring call for greater acceptance and support for women who opt for this path, and a reminder that happiness does not have to follow the traditional, heteronormative route.