A new book examined the growing trend of solo living, with a focus on working-age men and women living in urban and rural areas. Living alone had first become prevalent among elderly people, but had since become common at ages associated with having partners and children. Fears about the end of family and community had combined in popular depictions with stereotypes of the 'sad and lonely' or 'selfish singles'.
Source: Lynn Jamieson and Roona Simpson, Living Alone: Globalization, identity and belonging, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Sep
An article examined the pathways into living alone in mid-life, and how these varied by gender and socio-economic status. The dissolution of a marriage with children was the dominant pathway into mid-life solo living: but there was also a substantial group of never-partnered men living alone. These men were split between those with low and high socio-economic status. Men living alone who had not had children, had no educational qualifications, were not economically active, and who lived in rented housing were likely to be most at risk of needing a social and economic 'safety net' in old age.
Source: Dieter Demey, Ann Berrington, Maria Evandrou, and Jane Falkingham, 'Pathways into living alone in mid-life: diversity and policy implications', Advances in Industrial and Labor Relations, Volume 18 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jun
A new book examined the relationship between changing gender identities and processes of family formation in western countries, including: asexual couples; child-free women and men; 'living apart together' couples; lone mothers and fathers; and homosexual and transsexual parents. It discussed the political implications of these emerging dimensions of family life.
Source: Elisabetta Ruspini, Diversity in Family Life: Gender, relationships and social change, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Jun