Does it bother you, if you are older and live or die alone, that people might call you an 'old spinster'? I find it a horrible term. It just sounds derogatory. Compare it to the male equivalent: a 'bachelor'. Even an 'eligible bachelor' which sounds desirable.
It doesn't bother me to have lived and died alone. Not in terms of being ashamed anyway. When I was younger, I liked the idea of being in love and, having a partner but, I've largely enjoyed the independence of living alone. So, it's kind of annoying people might label me that- sad, pathetic, ugly, lonely woman who killed herself because she was alone. That's not to say that isn't a legitimate reason to do it- if we feel that way but, it's not a majorly contributing factor for me. Even though, I am those things in many ways.
I suppose it's more how it is viewed that annoys me. Maybe a lot less so now. I think women/ men/ people do have more freedom to do what they want. I wonder if it still exists to an extent though:
Do you think that's true? That it's more shameful for a woman to turn up to an event/ go out alone, than a man?
That's not to say women feel more alone than men but, are they thought of in a more derogatory way? Maybe not though. I think people tend to feel suspicious of guys who remain alone.
As to whether we get shamed, I guess it depends on how we present ourselves. People of either gender who make it clear they are happier alone and, choose to be, I suppose deflect pity/ shaming.
It doesn't bother me to have lived and died alone. Not in terms of being ashamed anyway. When I was younger, I liked the idea of being in love and, having a partner but, I've largely enjoyed the independence of living alone. So, it's kind of annoying people might label me that- sad, pathetic, ugly, lonely woman who killed herself because she was alone. That's not to say that isn't a legitimate reason to do it- if we feel that way but, it's not a majorly contributing factor for me. Even though, I am those things in many ways.
I suppose it's more how it is viewed that annoys me. Maybe a lot less so now. I think women/ men/ people do have more freedom to do what they want. I wonder if it still exists to an extent though:
Do you think that's true? That it's more shameful for a woman to turn up to an event/ go out alone, than a man?
That's not to say women feel more alone than men but, are they thought of in a more derogatory way? Maybe not though. I think people tend to feel suspicious of guys who remain alone.
As to whether we get shamed, I guess it depends on how we present ourselves. People of either gender who make it clear they are happier alone and, choose to be, I suppose deflect pity/ shaming.
