3 Top Needs of Singles

The truth is that the percentage of singles is increasing because of late first marriages, high rate of divorce and increase in no of elderly persons especially widows.

What does it mean to be single?

This part is very difficult we cannot generalize them.  They may live alone, or in a family. They may leave with a room mate or be cohabitating or in the stream of relationship that is committed.  Irrespective of the several cases, “Single” is a term that means their Social status of not being “married”.

 A misconception in our society is that singles are pictured as people who are youthful, attractive, fun loving persons with our culture even looking upon them with envy. But this image is false and the image is a stereotype filled with fantasy and illusion. Unlike the popular image they do go through disappointments and failures.  They do enjoy the pleasures of life and the fact is that that they are real people with real needs.

What do singles need? How do we meet the needs of singles who are very much part of our society?

The three top needs of singles are as follows.

 Relational Need: Every human need longs for interaction- the human touch. Now if a nuclear or extended family does not meet this need then singles must find alternative avenues for care and fellowship.  That would be recreational club or a community of faith or some sponsored groups. We as a society must help them find suitable settings where their needs could be met in a non abusive way.

Emotional Need: One of the harsh reality is coming in terms with aloneness. For younger persons the phase may be normal and adaptable but for men and  women who are single again through death or divorce feel really strange and out of place. For one it is a empty nest and for the other no nest at all.  And for those who have never been married singlehood haunts with multiple anxieties about finding the right marriage partner and a sense of inferiority.  Sexuality and sexual behaviors are peculiar issues in single person.  A failure to address sexual ethics for single persons contribute serious problem in the sex life of many singles. Thus many singles turn to popular values of the mass media and culture, suffering the consequences of a disturbed value system.  Working out such a sexual ethic is possible only by the government agencies, NGO’s and various faith communities.

Spiritual Need: Many times singles turn to religious concerns when it comes to dealing with questions concerning intimacy, friendship and sexuality.  Every society have several faith communities that meets the spiritual need of the society.  It is here where it needs to relate significantly to the inner quest and challenges of the single world.  This may help him or her to deliberately to a particular disappointment and to develop a faith that opens to life no matter what.  This task obviously requires the pitching in of the whole spiritual community to find a common life, worship and witness that accept single persons and those who are married.

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