Singles discrimination is built into the infrastructure of our society. And little is changing to address these inequities.
Since singles now represent 44 percent of the adult U.S. population, and the trends are probably similar in other countries, a shift should be taking place. Unfortunately little is changing. Here’s what I mean.
Here are some key areas where singles are discriminated against.
Taxes
Singles pay the highest rate and married couples filing jointly pay the lowest.
Insurance
The rating criteria (algorithm) of insurance companies give singles a higher rate than a married person. This applies to many forms of insurance including auto and health.
Housing
Master planned communities have been and continued to be designed for families. This has been going on since the advent of suburban housing. The detached houses within these communities, often called single “family” homes, are designed for, you guessed it, families. There are no houses designed specifically for singles.
All of the services and facilities within these communities are designed for married couples and their children. There are few if any accommodations for singles, except for perhaps singles dances and mixers.
When I built my singles organization in a new master-planned community, I was shocked to hear about suspicions and opposition toward the creation of the club from a few community board members. Although I eventually overcame their concerns, this incident is a good example of how singles are discriminated against.
There are no master-planned communities for singles, although I have a proposal for one.
Food Products
If you go to a grocery store, department store, or restaurant (not fast food) what kind of value packaging and meals do you see? There are family packs and kids’ meals but you don’t see anything for singles.
Wouldn’t be great if there were value packaging and meals specifically for singles! When I refer to value packaging in stores, I am talking about “economies of scale” pricing and quick and convenient storage and preparation.
Vacation Packages
There are, of course, vacation packages for “groups” of singles, but none for singles who want to go on their own that I know about. If you ask about a vacation package at a resort destination or cruise ship company, you’ll find that the best values are for double occupancy. Single occupancy is much more expensive since you’re essentially forced to almost pay for two people.
These double occupancy ratings originated with our “couples” oriented society. Today companies welcome unmarried couples and single friends to take advantage of the double occupancy rates.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were resort and cruise ship vacation packages for singles who are traveling alone?
What can you do?
Voice your concerns to your community leaders and elected representatives. Tell them you want the same rights for singles that married couples and couples with children have.
Join online organizations that look out for the best interests of singles. Here are a few that I’ve run across over the years: Unmarried America.org, Unmarried.org, and Single Edition.com
If you have or start a singles organization, include community service and singles rights projects as part the activities mix.
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There are many more areas of singles discrimination. But these are some of the most impacting.
The percentage of adult singles in the US and around the world is expected to continue to rise. This creates a new, unique, and powerful sociopolitical group — if it is united behind a common cause.
If organized and united, adult singles can be the largest socio-political group in the U.S. and world by far! With power comes responsibly though. If this came about, this power should be used wisely and with integrity. So be sure to choose your leaders carefully.