SHOULD Scotland's rapidly growing number of one-person households be seen as a sign of freedom or an erosion of society?
The latest analysis of the 2011 Census data uncovered an extraordinary rise in numbers living by themselves. In 1961 they accounted for just 14% of households. Today that figure is 35%, the largest single category of household type. It is the first time ever that people living alone make up more than a third of Scottish households. These solo households tend to be concentrated in Scotland's cities, especially Glasgow where they account for 43% of households, making up more than one in five of the city's population.
The American writer Pearl Buck once asserted: "The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being...His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration." Today that view would be regarded as a cruel caricature of living by oneself.
The most obvious reason for the rise is Scotland's changing demographic. Since 2001 the number of over-80s has risen by a phenomenal 19%. As women continue to outlive men, much of this increase consists of widows and spinsters. Clearly this has serious implications for every aspect of public policy from housing provision to rubbish collections but particularly for NHS planning and the provision of free personal care.
However, solo living has come a long way from the stereotype of the elderly lady with a cat and a canary. The numbers have been boosted also by increased mobility, divorcees and the longer periods young people are spending childless and unmarried. Indeed, many no longer view their solo status as either negative or transitory but as a symbol of modern economic independence. In particular, women, who might have been locked into unhappy relationships by financial dependence in previous generations, now have real choices and are opting to exercise them.
In The Herald today, Professor Robert Wright of Strathclyde Business School finds a false correlation between living alone and loneliness. Extended lifespans combined with economic freedom are creating a more fluid cycle of relationships in which it sometimes makes more sense to live alone, even for those who are romatically attached. Unfettered by family ties or the intrusion of flatmates, city dwellers can easily extend their homes beyond their own walls into the shared urban spaces of parks, gyms, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and cyberspace. And far from being the "selfish singles" sometimes depicted, many find more time to do voluntary work in their communities and support older or disabled family members than siblings with childcare commitments.
This is a trend that should perhaps be embraced because, like it or not, it is here to stay.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article