Singleton trajectories. Understanding new life course paths of young adults.

Project Information

SINGLETON

Grant agreement ID: 101054654

DOI

10.3030/101054654

EC signature date 16 June 2022

Start date 1 March 2023

End date 29 February 2028

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 497 438,00

EU contribution

€ 2 497 438,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SINGLETON (Singleton trajectories. Understanding new life course paths of young adults.)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

In recent decades, relationship trajectories have undergone significant transformations, with increasing numbers of (young) adults experiencing prolonged periods of singleness and serial relationships (with or without cohabitation). While much research has focused on the delay of marriage and family formation, the phenomenon of singleness remains largely overlooked as a distinct life course trajectory. The SINGLETON project seeks to fill this gap by introducing the concept of the “singleton trajectory”, exploring why and how (young) adults navigate between (prolonged) singleness and committed romantic relationships (CRRs). The objective is to develop a new theoretical framework to understand the dynamics behind rising singleness, short-term partnerships, and serial singlehood in (young) adulthood. It will do so by focusing on four key research areas: (1) empirically identifying the prevalence and characteristics of singleton trajectories; (2) examining the mechanisms of CRR formation, maintenance, and dissolution; (3) analysing the influence of personal networks and life course interdependencies; and (4) assessing societal perceptions of singles in relationship-centred sociocultural contexts.

By combining quantitative longitudinal surveys, qualitative interviews, and machine learning-based discourse analysis, this study will provide an interdisciplinary perspective on singlehood that bridges demography, sociology, and developmental psychology. The expected impact of this multifaceted approach is threefold. First, scientifically, it will consolidate Singlehood Studies as a new field of research, shifting perspectives on romantic relationships and life trajectories in (young) adulthood. Second, at a societal level, it will provide policymakers with insights into the broader implications of rising singleness, housing, labour markets, and social support systems. Lastly, it will address and challenge stigmatisation and biases against singlehood, fostering a more inclusive perspective on diverse life choices. As such, by challenging the traditional assumption that all relationship trajectories ultimately lead to long-term commitment, the project will aid in recognising singleness as a legitimate and structured life course pathway. Through its innovative methodology and interdisciplinary approach, the SINGLETON project thus aims to fundamentally reshape the academic and societal discourse surrounding modern relationship trajectories.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The technical and scientific activities within the SINGLETON project have been geared towards both publishing and preparing data collection. From a research perspective, several topics have currently been explored. Mortelmans, Claessens & Thielemans i) designed a framework for the definition and measurement of singlehood in family studies, which ii) they then empirically operationalised, iii) Van Gasse and Mortelmans analysed voluntariness in singlehood beyond the dichotomy framework, and iv) Bracke, Van Gasse and Mortelmans explored life course strategies in singlehood transitions. Concerning identity and social structures, v) Van Gasse, Claessens and Mortelmans investigated the interplay between identity and regional backgrounds, vi) Van Gasse and Mortelmans examined single parenthood and alloparenting by childless singles, and vii) Claessens and Mortelmans explored gender and age differences in reasons for singlehood. Finally, relating relationship dynamics to psychological perspectives, ‘t Hoen, Claessens and Mortelmans viii) conceptualised the experience of long-term waiting in relationships and ix) explored the link between self-definitions of singlehood and loneliness. Together, it depicts the current main achievements of the project: (1) mixed-methods to provide nuanced insights ; (2) empirical and conceptual frameworks that broaden the understanding of singlehood, while challenging limited (binary) perspectives; and (3) the provision of fundamental theoretical and empirical contributions to interdisciplinary discussions in family studies.

The second main activity within the SINGLETON project pertains to the preparation of multi-wave, multi-actor and multi-method data collection among (young) adults in Belgium. Data collection for the quantitative online survey of the first wave commenced mid-March, followed by the launch of the qualitative data collection mid-April. The online survey was finalised at the end of June, after which data cleaning commenced. This entailed checks of the entire dataset, including missing values, ID variable construction, and anonymisation. In September, the coding of the open-ended questions was completed and logged. The finalisation of the dataset and related documents is planned by the end of 2025, including the metadata, technical reporting, and codebook translation. The qualitative data collection is ongoing, with finalisation planned at the end of November.

Concurrently, preparations for the second wave of data collection are underway. This entails adapting both the online survey and qualitative questionnaires from the first wave, issuing new participation invitations to the respondents, and updating the sample information from the Belgian National Register.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Other work has been performed to sustain and expand the contributions of the SINGLETON project to the field of singlehood, beyond publishing and data collection. Firstly, an active contribution has been provided to the internationalisation of singlehood studies through (1) participation in conferences ; (2) the establishment of the International Singlehood Studies Association (ISSA), where researchers of the SINGLETON project are actively engaged; (3) participation in online singlehood research seminars, and (4) inclusion in and co-organisation of meetings of the International Singlehood Advocacy Network (ISAN). Furthermore, the team has joined (5) the Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) project on Singlehood and Policy. This project comprises seven international junior and senior researchers collaborating on research related to singlehood (funded by NetIAS) to organise five on-site meetings over three years in support of institutes for advanced studies.

Second, a particular focus has been placed on mastering novel and advanced research methodologies such as AI modelling and Textual Analytics. These efforts have led to the development of a FLAMES (Flanders' Training Network for Methodology and Statistics) course on AI in qualitative research. Next, various guest lectures have been provided on the topic of singlehood within the course Family Sociology, underlining the importance attached to public communication. In this respect, interviews have also been conducted with local newspapers (De Standaard, De Morgen, Het Laatste Nieuws) on legal stigmatisation of singles in terms of inheritance, the gendered struggles surrounding highly educated single women’s search for a partner, and the relationship landscape in Belgium. Finally, collaborations have been formed with artists and media professionals, as well as (inter)national singlehood policy advocates, such as Australian writer and activist Donna Ward and Belgian politician Carla Dejonghe, who aid in translating academic insights to a broader audience while increasing the (policy) impact of the project.