Skip to content
Gambling-trends — Symbiotics Blooms — Explore Symphony's Wheeled Wonders — policy-and-legislation

Why 'singlism' in academia is the bias no one talks about

Unmarried professionals face subtle but damaging stereotypes. Now, researchers are calling for change—and a reckoning with society's marriage-centric norms.

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
The image shows a poster with a picture of Alfredo and text that reads "Where do we draw boundary...
The image shows a poster with a picture of Alfredo and text that reads "Where do we draw boundary between personal and academic? What happens if we ignore what's outside the walls? Who drives decision making? How do we engage without control?".

Why 'singlism' in academia is the bias no one talks about

Discrimination against single people remains a quiet but persistent issue in society. Known as singlism, this bias often goes unnoticed, particularly in professional settings like higher education. Recent discussions among academics have brought the problem into sharper focus, with calls for greater recognition and support for unmarried individuals.

The term singlism was first introduced by psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo to describe the stereotyping and marginalisation of non-married people. In higher education, this bias can take subtle forms, as explored in Dr. Timothy Tanglen's article All the Single Leaders. His work highlights how single academics—especially women—face societal pressure and internalised singlism, which can deepen feelings of loneliness.

Craig Wynne, an associate professor of English at the University of the District of Columbia, has also addressed the issue. As a board member of **Singles Equality**, he advocates for fairness and visibility for unmarried individuals. Wynne suggests that universities should foster environments where singles can openly share achievements unrelated to marriage or parenthood. This, he argues, could help reduce stigma and combat isolation. Despite these discussions, no formal **Singles Equality** organisation has been established in 2024, nor are there records of campaigns tackling institutional discrimination against singles in the US. The conversation, however, continues among academics and activists pushing for change.

The lack of formal advocacy groups means singlism remains largely unchallenged in policy and practice. But academics like Wynne and Tanglen are raising awareness by documenting the experiences of single professionals. Their efforts aim to shift cultural attitudes and create more inclusive spaces for unmarried individuals.

Read also:

Related

Latest