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Who Remains Celibate?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Kathleen E. Kiernan
Kathleen E. Kiernan
Affiliation:
Social Statistics Research Unit, City University, Northampton Square, London
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Summary

Who are the men and women who are single in their mid-30s? This study, which uses life history data for a British cohort born in 1946, shows that an important minority are ‘handicapped’ and these adults are cared for primarily by their families, in particular by elderly parents. Celibates tend to be more introverted, ambitious and to have older marrying parents than their ever-married peers. Single women differ from single men. The women are more likely to be of higher ability, to be graduates and to be in high status occupations whilst single men are more likely to be members of the lowest social class or unemployed. The great majority of single people live either with their parents or on their own.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , July 1988 , pp. 253 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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