Happy Singlehood - by Elyakim Kislev (Paperback)

About the Book

"The singles' population is rapidly growing and doing so happily ever after. Instead of marrying, many singles nurture extensive social networks, develop self-sufficient lifestyles, and make flexible living arrangements. [This book] delves into these trends in a multi-method research and asks: 'Which strategies help singles fight loneliness and social pressure? What can educators, policymakers, and urban planners do for happy singles? How will the future of happy singlehood look like?'"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Happy Singlehood charts a way forward for singles to live life on their terms, and shows how everyone--single or coupled--can benefit from accepting solo living. Based on personal interviews, quantitative analysis, and extensive review of singles' writings and literature, author Elyakim Kislev uncovers groundbreaking insights on how unmarried people create satisfying lives in a world where social structures and policies are still designed to favor marriage.

In this carefully crafted book, Kislev investigates how singles nurture social networks, create innovative communities, and effectively deal with discrimination. Happy Singlehood challenges readers to rethink how single people organize social and familial ties in new ways, and illuminates how educators, policymakers, and urban planners should cater to their needs.

From the Back Cover

"Bringing together first-person accounts and data analysis, Kislev takes us on a global tour de force of demographic change, skillfully charting the rise of "singlehood" worldwide and capably detailing its implications for inequality and wellbeing. This is an immensely readable and welcome addition to the literature on single life, and a call to action for scholars and policy makers alike."--Alondra Nelson, President, Social Science Research Council

"A breath of fresh air. Kislev brilliantly shows that singles can be very happy in the modern world."--Jocelyn Crowley, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, author of Gray Divorce

"Read this book. Whether you want to remain single or your goal is a healthy relationship, this book has all the answers."--Susan J. Elliott, author of Getting Past Your Breakup

"When Singles Studies becomes a recognized discipline, this book will be an important part of it."--Bella DePaulo, author of Singled Out

"Shows how singles live--happily--despite continued discrimination against them."--Laurie Essig, Middlebury College, author of Love, Inc.

"I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard about it. Kislev captures the genuine joy of adults who are single by choice, whether life-long or following the dissolution of a marriage. The scope of its ideas, as well as its international perspective, makes this book a valuable contribution to the field."--Joan DelFattore, University of Delaware, author of Knowledge in the Making

Review Quotes

"In this well-sourced and researched book, Kislev thoroughly explains the growing popularity of the 'single by choice' phenomenon, providing real-life examples culled from interviews and blogs with singles."-- "Jerusalem Post"

"Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers."-- "CHOICE"

"The book...is not just for academic types. Anyone interested in a smart, thoughtful, unconventional take on single life will find a lot to like in Happy Singlehood. Kislev treats readers to the kinds of approaches we have come to expect from the most successful nonfiction trade books, including, for example, illustrating his points with stories from the single people he interviewed as well as anecdotes from his own life."-- "PsychCentral"

"Happy Singlehood thoughtfully explores the unacknowledged increase in single living. Its serious consideration could result in greater freedom of choice, happier individuals, and more efficient economies."-- "Foreword Reviews" (2/5/2019 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Elyakim Kislev has a PhD in sociology from Columbia University and is a faculty member at the Hebrew University, specializing in minorities, social policy, and singles studies.