A new study from the University of Toronto has found that single women tend to be happier than single men.
Researchers suggest that men may have more to gain from romantic relationships than women do.
“Our study is the first to look at how gender differences are linked to well-being in single life,” said Elaine Hoan, the study’s lead author and a Ph.D. candidate in psychology.
“From here, we can explore why single women are doing better than single men and how everyone can create fulfilling lives.”
Hoan and Professor Geoff MacDonald examined data from nearly 6,000 adults, focusing on four key areas:
- How satisfied people are with being single
- How satisfied they are with their life overall
- How sexually fulfilled they feel
- How much they want to be in a relationship
Their findings, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, showed that women are generally happier being single than men. Single women reported being more content with their lives, their relationship status, and their sex lives. They also showed less desire to be in a relationship compared to single men.
Why are single women happier?
There are several possible reasons for this trend. Research suggests that men fear being single more than women. This is partly due to traditional masculinity expectations, where men feel pressured to “get girls” as a sign of status. However, men often find it harder to attract a partner, which can lead to frustration and lower well-being.
Sexual satisfaction also plays a role. The study found that single women are more sexually fulfilled than single men. One explanation is that single women may have more sexual freedom and can focus on their own pleasure rather than prioritizing a male partner’s needs.
Another factor could be that women typically have larger social networks for emotional support, while men often rely on romantic relationships for companionship. Women today also have greater financial independence, so they no longer need a partner for financial security as they did in the past.
How age and ethnicity affect single life
The study also found that older single men (40+) are happier than younger single men, which matches earlier research showing that people become more comfortable with long-term singlehood as they age.
Researchers also noted that single Black women tend to have a higher desire for a partner than single white women, though the reasons for this are still being explored.
What this means for the future
The study also touches on incels, a group of men who blame women for their single status. While incels are often studied separately, the researchers suggest that overall dissatisfaction among single men may contribute to some men joining this subculture.
The findings highlight the challenges heterosexual women face in relationships, including unequal division of domestic and emotional labor, and the fact that women’s sexual pleasure is often deprioritized in traditional partnerships. These factors may explain why women sometimes find single life more fulfilling than being in a relationship.
Hoan hopes this research will help validate women who feel pressured to find a partner.
“If you want to stay single, you may actually be happier for it,” she says.
Next, the researchers plan to study how marriage affects well-being worldwide, to better understand the role of romantic relationships in life satisfaction.
