Study, It Turns Out That Prospective Women Are Happier Than Men, This Is The Reason

Illustration of single women (Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

JAKARTA - Common views often occur, namely single women are described as individuals who are lonely, sad, or 'complete in taste' without a partner.

On the other hand, single men are often labeled as relaxed, happy, and enjoy their freedom. However, a recent study actually shows the opposite. Single women are much happier than single men.

However, a study published in October 2024 in Social Psychological and Personality Science broke this assumption. Research led by Elaine Hoan and Geoff MacDonald shows surprising facts.

They found single women turned out to be much happier than single men. Here are 4 main reasons based on research, as reported by VOI from the Forbes page on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Compared to single men, single women feel much more satisfied with their relationship status. They accept and enjoy single or unmarried status. Hoan and MacDonald explained that this phenomenon was influenced by reduced social pressure on women to get married.

"In the past, people pressured women to immediately find a partner so as not to be considered a 'lain woman'. However, now the pressure is decreasing," explained Hoan and MacDonald.

Single women also feel more free to enjoy life without burdensome social pressures. In addition, they note that although some norms have changed, gender expectations in relationships are still often not equivalent.

Women are often burdened with household responsibilities and child care without help. This situation, according to research, makes women tend to respect freedom when single rather than having to undergo stressful relationships.

Single women also report a higher level of living satisfaction than single men. Their happiness is not only related to relationships, but also to aspects of life as a whole. According to Hoan and MacDonald, this has a lot to do with women's ability to build strong social networks.

"Women tend to have more supportive communities than men," explained Hoan and MacDonald.

This social support makes single women feel happier and rarely influenced by relationship status. On the other hand, single men tend to be more alone and less active in building social relationships, so they are more prone to feelings of loneliness.

Another surprising finding is that single women have a higher level of sexual satisfaction than single men.

This study reveals that in long-term relationships, women's sexual satisfaction is often put aside for the needs of their partners. Sexual immorality of women is often not prioritized in heterosexual relationships.

On the other hand, when single, women have the freedom to explore their own needs and desires without pressure to meet their partner's expectations.

For single men, sexual intercourse is often a fulfillment. If they live alone without a partner, this makes it more difficult for them to reach the level of sexual satisfaction.

Unlike the term "old cloud" who always longs for a partner, single women actually want fewer partners than single men.

"With the increasing number of women who are financially and professionally independent, the need for male couples is getting smaller," added Hoan and MacDonald.

In addition, the role of men as breadwinners and protectors can now be replaced by the woman herself.

For single women, the freedom they have when living alone provides difficult satisfaction in relationships. They have complete control over social and sexual life, as well as the freedom to focus on themselves without the obligation to take care of others.