In Singapore, the middle aged and older generations frowns upon singlehood as they believe it is a taboo and singles are deviating from the mainstream behaviour will be unhappy. Despite having very little positive portrayal of singlehood in local media, I still strongly feel that being single does not equate to being unhappy.
Single and fabulous is often the tagline for singles and I totally agree with it. Being single means that we are not accountable to a special someone. We can then do whatever we want without any restriction or certain actions just out of obligation to make someone happy. This freedom is a potent attraction for people who wish to become singles. Being single can garner a special unspoken permission from the society to flirt around with different people and enjoy the joys of a person paying special attention to you, period, without needing to commit to him or her. Some people call these people the “legless birds”, flitting from people to people for a short timing and not settle own with any of them. The best motivation for this type of behaviour is having the freedom to mix around with different people and have different dating experiences to derive joy.
Another reason for singles to be happy is that they can splurge all their income on themselves, unlike their married counterparts that budgets it for the ever-increasing family expenses. Showered with Prada or Louis Vuitton merchandises, they will definitely look gorgeous. Being single also means that he or she does not have to account his fashion outlook to anyone (for example, no boyfriends to restrict girls to wear mini-skirts), they can dress outrageous and wild with a good sense of pride. With such a expensive yet affordable outlook, people on the street will definitely take a few more looks at them, boosting their ego. With pride and ego undisturbed by people, they feel that they can be truly who they are and not conceal their character through clothing, they will feel happy to be looking the way they have always want to be.
Most of the time, materialism does not always work on satisfying a person’s emotional needs. Singles will definitely have moment of weaknesses where they want someone to be there for them, supporting them. For example on how moment of weakness originates, there will be the society’s negative view on singles that will slowly erode off the ego of singles, criticism and awful stares will permeate through their shield of confidence that is protecting their inner heart. With comments like “eccentric” or “the inability to find a spouse” thrown at them, they will start questioning themselves as to why there is no one that will appreciate them and slowly mope about this fact.
In spite of this, the negative outlook on life for the moping singles can be eradicated with human interaction. This human attention that they yearn for, may not necessary be coming from someone that they love romantically. It can also come from best friends, listening to them and supporting them through their darkest moments of their lives. This can be evident from the American drama serial, Friends, whereby a group of best friends who are single, living in two adjacent units in an apartment. Living in such close proximity allows them to be there to lift someone out of his or her moment of weakness all together as a group of friends. With good friends backing these singles up at all times, they cannot be too poignant about life, can they?
Not only that singles can obtain comfort from friends, singles can also get this comfort from sex or more commonly known as One Night Stands. Throughout the process of it, the physical close contact with another person can yield the physical comfort that they need. Sometimes, after the actual act, there will be a pep talk which will then elevate the spirit of the person which is more often than not, the most satisfying to females. Furthermore, it is no longer considered a taboo to have pre-marital sex in this liberalising century. Thus, singles no longer see the need to get married as they can choose different sexual partners and stick to a good one that will not only make them feel good physically but also emotionally. With the option of changing sex partners and keeping one good one without the commitment from relationship, singles can see another reason to put a smile on their face. :D
All in all, being single and fabulous rocks! Hahahaha. :) Eh, i hope someone here can point out my bad points in my essay. Thanks in advance. I love P14, the ever vocal and bubbly class! :D
-Shawn Ng Kit Yong
