More people are living alone than ever before. At the beginning of the 21st century, one-person households represented at least 30 per cent of all households in most northern European countries. Why? Not only are women marrying later, but also, given high divorce rates and the fact that women outlive men by an average of seven years, even a married adult is likely to go back to being single at some point.

Despite these numbers, attitudes to being alone have changed very little over the past 30 years. There is still a pervasive mindset that if you don't find a mate - especially by the time you're in your 30s - there must be ... Read more.