In recent years, a quiet but powerful cultural shift has been unfolding. More women are choosing singlehood not as a waiting room for marriage, but as a deliberate, long-term lifestyle. Rooted in autonomy and changing values, this choice challenges the long-held belief that fulfilment must arrive hand-in-hand with a partner.
Back in the day, from very early on, girls would dream of wedding bells before they even knew what they wanted for breakfast. Finding someone to marry was once considered a major milestone of adulthood, especially for women. Today, far fewer women take it for granted that marriage will be part of their future.
A major factor driving women’s choice to remain single is economic independence. Thanks to modern advancements, women today enjoy greater access to education, a wider array of career opportunities and significantly higher earning potential than previous generations.
Financial self-sufficiency means that entering a partnership is no longer a matter of necessity. This independence empowers women to lead self-directed lives, making decisions based on their own needs rather than compromising for the sake of a relationship.
“I saw my mother struggle a lot while I was growing up, and she often said that life’s challenges would have been much easier if she hadn’t only completed fifth grade,” shared Fahmida Alam, 31, an interior architect. “For me, the top priority is never feeling that way. I work hard and earn my own money; love or romance can come later.”
The trend towards singlehood is also being driven by increasing awareness of emotional labour and unbalanced relationship dynamics. Historically, women were often expected to shoulder most relationship responsibilities, including conflict management, maintaining social ties, and managing domestic affairs.
Modern women no longer accept this as a given. They now question whether the demands of a relationship are worth the emotional investment, especially given their proven capacity for fulfilment and happiness on their own.
Another key factor is that women are raising their standards for what constitutes a fulfilling romantic relationship. Women refuse to settle for less than they deserve, as social awareness around setting boundaries, compatibility, and shared values has grown stronger, making them more selective about who they allow into their lives. This attitude doesn’t reflect a rejection of relationships, but rather a refusal to engage in ones that demand inequality or personal compromise.
“Things haven’t been looking too good these days; it’s always one issue or another, and most of them are quite serious when it comes to romantic interests,” said Fabiha Hossain, 28, a service-holder. “Given the stories I hear almost daily, I don’t mean to throw shade, but the dating scene seems really intimidating. I’d much rather focus on myself.”
Additionally, the growth of strong community networks provides women with meaningful connections, reducing the perceived need for a partner. Today, women are actively building social networks, participating in activity-based groups, and engaging with online communities that offer emotional closeness without the compromises often required in romantic relationships.
Choosing singlehood is not a sign of bitterness or missed opportunity. It is a conscious decision shaped by independence, self-awareness and a refusal to settle. Perhaps most importantly, it leaves room for something better: relationships entered freely, not out of fear or obligation, but out of genuine connection and choice.
