One friend is asexual and has been since college, so no surprise she isn't married. Another college friend is not that good looking, but is a lovely person, and never really found anyone. Gave up before OLD really took off.

Two male friends weren't that great looking when they were younger, and it took a while to get established in their respective careers, so at some point they seemed to give up. They would probably have much more luck now at middle age, but may be scarred by bad experiences. Another is a Mama's boy who lived at home his whole life, and I can't blame women for passing on him.

Some people see bad parental marriages or experience bad dating issues and decide they are better off single.

Gay

My favorite aunt never married. I am 99% sure she is a true asexual. Now in her 70s, she is healthier, happier, wealthier, more vibrant, and quite frankly looks quite a bit younger than everyone else in her cohort. She is highly disciplined and has devoted her life to helping her siblings, her career as a physician, her church, and her hobbies- she can sew, garden, and cook like nobody’s business. In an apocalypse you want her in your bunker! That’s what I think about her!

I am 55, never married, F, no kids. I love my boyfriends and friends and my competitive sports. Our team travels. Never had an interest in disrupting my life with marriage or children obligations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they are well aware of the divorce statistics!

Divorce is at an all-time low in the United States. It is the lowest it has been in 50 years. The 50% myth has been debunked and it only is because they include first second and third marriages in the statistics. A college graduate couple that marries only has a 20% chance of divorce. Actually read before continuing to spew myths.

https://www.petrellilaw.com/divorce-statistics-for-2022/#:~:text=U.S.%202022%20Divorce%20Statistics,second%20marriages%20end%20in%20divorce.

Anonymous wrote:I think they are well aware of the divorce statistics!

Divorce is at an all-time low in the United States. It is the lowest it has been in 50 years. The 50% myth has been debunked and it only is because they include first second and third marriages in the statistics. A college graduate couple that marries only has a 20% chance of divorce. Actually read before continuing to spew myths.

Anonymous wrote:As a woman, would you date a never married childless man over 39 or a divorce man with kids of the same age?

Well, DH was 39, no kids, never married when we started dating, so, yes, I would and did.

He had had some serious relationships previously, but at times didn't have great opportunities to meet women outside of work. OLD was in its infancy when we met (not through OLD), and it didn't exist when he was younger.

What is the first thing that pops in my mind when meeting a man like this?
Lucky!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So far: nothing. In know some and they haven't even had a serious relationship. They seem completely healthy and at peace. Nothing strange or wierd.

Spoiler: They are not actually completely healthy, at least mentally. And they are not happy. They are likely secretly boozing or popping pills to cope with the loneliness and sadness.

Nope, that's the unhappy, depressed married people in abusive or dysfunctional relationships.

Yes, spinsters and lifelong bachelors are the happiest people in the world. Those “normies” in happy marriages with adorable heirs are all secretly toxic. Totally.

I actually had to read this response twice to figure out if you were being sarcastic or not. Not too sure about the lifelong bachelors, but yes, I actually do think single women are among the happiest demographic.

Or more accurately, in my experience, women who did not marry in their 20s, 30s, or even 40s, but became coupled, and/or married, later than “normal” in life. They may seem temporarily unhappy when they hit late 30s/early 40s… But there is definitely an upswing in happiness for them as they hit late 40s, 50s and beyond, that I haven’t seen among married women.

As a woman, would you date a never married childless man over 39 or a divorce man with kids of the same age?

Anonymous wrote:Of them? I know you people judge everyone so what is the first thing that pops in your mind when meeting someone like this?

What is the first thing that pops in my mind when meeting someone like this?
I could care less…

I think they are well aware of the divorce statistics!

I think they are closeted gay or a terrible person.

It really depends on the person.

I've known many people who haven't married. I know one person who is just kind of odd and she was overweight in her 20s. She was very attractive but I think she never learned how to date/have relationships. She had a nice home, career and was picky about people.

Another woman I know is religious. She wanted a religious man but never seemed to find him.

They both had unrealistic expectations of men, were immature and just aged out. They also did not want to date divorced people which limits your dating pool to very few in your late 30s.

A few others I would say were not physically attractive and I think they never had any interest or gave up.

Others were lesbians.