Happy Spinsters? Singlehood as Experienced by Single Middle-Aged Women in the Philippines

Bibliographic Data

ID3229482
AuthorsSamantha Erika N Mendez (0000-0003-4794-9021, Department of Psychology University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City Metro Manila Philippines, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume32
Issue3
Publication date2025-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePersonal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4126 • E-ISSN: 1475-6811
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/pere.70022
OpenAlexW4413366211
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited30

Despite the global rise in singlehood, the expectation to marry persists, particularly in cultures that promote the ideology of marriage and family and among people who remain single beyond what is thought to be their prime marrying years, such as middle-aged single women. This study explores how single, heterosexual, middle-aged Filipino women experienced and made sense of their singlehood in the predominantly Catholic, collectivist, and pronatalist context of the Philippines. Data were collected from seven women aged 41-58. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the following group experiential themes were extracted: (1) reclaiming the spinster narrative, (2) being alone but not lonely, (3) evolving views of singlehood over time, and (4) coming to terms with singlehood. These findings shed light on the Filipino experience and could potentially guide future research on the topic. They could also inform professionals, single women themselves, and society with recommendations to create supportive and inclusive spaces for single women to develop and thrive in

Developmental psychology · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology

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