

You've been saying for years that there are a million reasons why it's better to be single. And science has finally confirmed it.
Single people value meaningful work more than married people and they're also more connected to their parents, siblings, friends, neighbors and coworkers, according to Bella DePaulo, a scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara who researched the topic for a 2016 paper. "When people marry, they become more insular," DePaulo explains.
And if you're independent, you're even better off. DePaulo found that self-sufficient single people who were analyzed for a lifelong study were less likely to experience negative emotions. The opposite was true for married people.
Plus, there are more single people out there than ever before. DePaulo points out that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 124.6 million unmarried Americans over the age of 16—that's a little more than half. In 1976, just 37% of the population was single.
"More than ever before, Americans can pursue the ways of living that work best for them. There is no one blueprint for the good life," she concludes. "What matters is not what everyone else is doing or what other people think we should be doing, but whether we can find the places, the spaces and the people that fit who we really are and allow us to live our best lives."
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Kate Storey is a contributing editor at Marie Claire and writer-at-large at Esquire magazine, where she covers culture and politics. Kate's writing has appeared in ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, Town & Country, and Cosmopolitan, and her first book comes out in summer 2023.
-
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Made Us Do a Double Take in A Pink and Black Bodycon Dress
Chopra Jonas—along with a slew of other celebrities—were on hand for the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Rihanna's Son Own 2023's "It" Shoe—Because, Duh, He's Rihanna's Son
He's only a year old and already a better dresser than me.
By Jewel Elizabeth
-
Nearly Four Years After Leaving the U.K., Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are “Embarking On a Total System Reboot”
“They are all about the future.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
30 Female-Friendly Porn Websites for Any Mood
All the best websites, right this way.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
The 82 Best Cheap Date Ideas for Couples on a Budget
"Love don't cost a thing." —J.Lo
By The Editors
-
Diary of a Non-Monogamist
Rachel Krantz, author of the new book 'Open,' shares the ups and downs of her journey into the world of open relationships.
By Abigail Pesta
-
COVID Forced My Polyamorous Marriage to Become Monogamous
For Melanie LaForce, pandemic-induced social distancing guidelines meant she could no longer see men outside of her marriage. But monogamy didn't just change her relationship with her husband—it changed her relationship with herself.
By Melanie LaForce
-
COVID Uncoupling
How the pandemic has mutated our most personal disunions.
By Gretchen Voss
-
16 At-Home Date Ideas When You're Stuck Indoors
Staying in doesn't have to be boring.
By Katherine J. Igoe
-
Long Distance Relationship Gift Ideas for Couples Who've Made It This Far
Alexa, play "A Thousand Miles."
By Jaimie Potters
-
15 Couples on How 2020 Rocked Their Relationship
Couples confessed to Marie Claire how this year's many multi-stressors tested the limits of their love.
By Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW