Nowadays, more and more people are advocating and enjoying "single life," but they are ignoring the deadly harm it brings.
The singles trend is sweeping the globe
According to the standards set by the All-China Women's Federation, men aged 30 and women aged 27 who are still single can be considered "older singles." Currently, there are no precise figures showing the total number of "leftover men and women" nationwide. However, the "2012-2013 Survey Report on Chinese Men's and Women's Views on Marriage and Love" indicates that the number of unmarried people aged 18 and above in my country reached 249 million. Experts point out that China's fourth wave of singlehood has arrived. This issue can also be seen in statistics from individual cities. The 2010 Sixth National Population Census showed that Shenyang had approximately 200,000 older singles, three times the number ten years prior; in Urumqi, the number of singles of marriageable and older age exceeded 600,000 in 2010.
Reports indicate that single men receive significantly less attention than single women. Years of the one-child policy and patriarchal ideology have resulted in approximately 20 million more men than women under the age of 30. Even if all women were less "picky," there would still be 20 million men remaining single.
The situation abroad is also not optimistic. The number of marriages in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 150 years; France has approximately 2.5 million single adults, half of whom are women; in the US, about 50.2% of people aged 16 and over are single; in Berlin, Germany, the single population has reached 54%, and sociologists have warned that if this continues to increase, Germany may disappear from the face of the earth in 12 generations; in Japan, about 60% of unmarried men aged 18-34 do not have girlfriends, while the proportion of unmarried women is 49.5%...
Long-term singleness reduces lifespan by 10 years
Numerous studies both domestically and internationally have found that prolonged singleness is a "fatal blow" to health.
Becoming a target of cancer. A New Zealand study found that single life is comparable to smoking, potentially causing a range of illnesses and even cancer. Xu Binghe, director of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, pointed out that single women or women who give birth after the age of 35 have a higher incidence of breast cancer than women who give birth before the age of 30.
The risk of heart attack and death is high. A Finnish study found that single men have a 58% to 66% higher incidence of heart disease than married men, while single women have a 60% to 65% higher incidence than married women.
They live 10 years less. A US study found that single women live an average of 7 to 15 years less than married women, and single men live an average of 8 to 17 years less than married men.
It can lead to depression. Being single for a long time can cause a decline in social skills, lead to a withdrawn personality, and increase the risk of depression.
People who are single for a long time are more prone to dementia in old age. A new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that people who remain single for extended periods have a higher risk of developing dementia later in life.
The longer the marriage, the healthier.
Conversely, people in happy marriages are healthier. Multiple studies have found that marriage not only extends lifespan and protects against disease, but also helps overcome unhealthy habits such as drinking, smoking, and staying up late, while reducing work stress, thus benefiting both physical and mental health. British research has found that the longer the marriage lasts, the more pronounced the health benefits. Despite the many advantages of marriage, the number of single people continues to rise.
In response, Wang Guorong, senior supervisor of Suzhou Jung Psychological Counseling Center, and Wang Yuru, president of Shanghai Psychological Counseling Industry Association, analyzed that some people choose to remain single because they are afraid that marriage will not last, worry that their partner will have an affair, and are daunted by marriage; others are forced into it, as material things now play a decisive role in marriage choices, and "no money, no car, no house" has become an insurmountable obstacle for many singles; still others believe in "non-marriageism," unwilling to let their freedom be restricted, or excessively pursue perfection: women hope that men are successful in their careers but not too busy; men hope that women will be virtuous wives and mothers, and earn no less money than themselves... Choosing a partner based on various realistic conditions will only weaken the beauty of love and allow the purest emotions to be polluted by worldly concerns.
Therefore, singles with high expectations should lower their standards and recognize that no one is perfect. Only by recognizing their own shortcomings can they see the strengths of others. For those single men and women who prioritize material things, Wang Guorong points out that older singles should start from within, avoid blindly comparing themselves to others, and understand that happiness built together is more lasting. Many people don't marry because of "insecurity." To overcome this feeling, first, identify the cause of the fear. For example, if you're afraid your partner's lifestyle is different, learn more about their life and give marriage an adjustment period.
Countries are racking their brains to encourage marriage
Many countries have introduced measures to encourage young people to get married, which are worth learning from. To prevent young people from being hesitant to marry due to economic pressure, the Japanese government plans to provide living allowances to young couples, currently proposed at 1200 RMB per month. Young people can also receive childcare subsidies after having children to alleviate financial burdens.
Across Germany, matchmaking events, "love trains," and romantic travel packages are being held to create opportunities for young men and women to meet and socialize. Some areas even offer affordable housing for newlyweds, and priority land allocation is available for those who wish to build their own homes. After marriage, the couple enjoys tax benefits, and if they have children, they are entitled to up to three years of parental leave and monthly child support payments.
