Embracing Independence: Consciously Single Trend Challenges Marriage

This year, wedding festivities and celebrations are reclaiming their glory at various wedding-related functions and events. However, for unmarried women in India, weddings can be a mix of pleasure and anxiety due to social and familial pressures to tie the knot.

According to a recent study conducted by Bumble, a leading dating app, 39 percent of Indian daters feel pressured by their families to make traditional matches during the wedding season. Moreover, 33 percent of unmarried individuals surveyed in India shared that they feel compelled to enter a committed, long-term relationship during this time. The emphasis on togetherness during weddings, coupled with single-shaming experiences, creates a sense of evaluation and unwanted inquiries about one’s dating life.

Bumble’s study reveals that the ‘Consciously Single’ trend is gaining momentum among Indian singles, particularly women, during the wedding season. It highlights a conscious choice to remain single without compromising on personal preferences and dating standards. Women are taking control of their dating lives, being deliberate about who they date and how they approach relationships.

Surprisingly, 81 percent of women polled in India expressed comfort in being unmarried and living alone, showcasing a shift in societal perspectives. Additionally, 63 percent of respondents stated that they refuse to settle for someone who doesn’t meet their preferences, needs, or requirements. An overwhelming 83 percent of women indicated their contentment in waiting for the right person.

Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director at Bumble, emphasizes the challenges faced by single women during the wedding season and the need to redefine the narrative. She highlights how the identity of a single woman often becomes synonymous with being unmarried, leading to anxiety and judgment at family events. Samaddar encourages women to date on their own terms, making the best first moves when they feel ready.

Re-reported from the story originally published in https://www.wionews.com/