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Sofi Papamarko

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Single for Six Reasons

Posted: 07/07/11 08:48 AM ET

In a HuffPost article that went mega-viral, television writer Tracy McMillan detailed the reasons she believes single women aren't yet married.

In "Why You're Not Married," McMillan insists that single women are not married (holy matrimony being the ultimate brass ring of womanhood, apparently) because we fall into one or all of the following categories:

1) You're a Bitch
2) You're Shallow
3) You're a "Slut"
4) You're a Liar
5) You're Selfish
6) You're Not Good Enough

McMillan fancies herself a bit of an expert, in that she has been married three times and brags that she was "born knowing how to get married." It is worth pointing out that McMillan has been divorced just as many times. So while she is certainly an expert in the field of getting hitched, McMillan is not very good at maintaining such a blissful state. Which is sort of the point, I think.

Having never been married, I humbly suggest that you should all pay attention to me instead of McMillan; I haven't married the wrong guy even one time.

McMillan's article stems from a larger problem; the assumption in the media and popular culture that single women are doing something wrong.

I would argue that we are actually doing everything right.

Here are the six real reasons why you, dear female reader, are not married (assuming you even want to be):

1) You're Patient
They say that good things come to those who wait. You're extremely wary about rushing down the aisle to the quickening rhythm of your biological clock. If you have to wait years for the right guy to come along, you will. Hell, you've waited this long.

2) You're Confident
We've all seen it, and it is sad. Women with low self-worth tend to latch onto inappropriate men. They're reluctant to get out of mediocre or even bad relationships because they're worried that they'll never find anyone else who'll love them. You, single lady, are independent, self-sufficient and don't require male validation in order to function day-to-day. You've long since realized that you're more than enough on your own.

3) You're Beautiful
In Mark Gimein's "The Eligible-Bachelor Paradox," he suggests that beautiful women -- confident that they have game -- hold out for something great for a longer period of time because they know they can. It is the less attractive females -- those with fewer chips with which to bet, as he puts it -- who "bid decisively," aggressively latching onto whoever will take them. (No offense, married ladies! I'm sure most of you wed for true love instead of out of quiet desperation.)

4) You 're Successful
Some men are intimidated by successful women, but the right guy will be in awe of all of your accomplishments. Don't downplay all that you've built for yourself. Don't mute or muffle all that you are.

5) You Won't Accept Anything Less Than You Deserve
You've ended relationships that potentially could have led to marriage because he did not treat you with the attentiveness, tenderness and/or respect that you justly deserve. Everyone is better off alone than in a relationship like that.

6) You Know What You Want
McMillan suggests that single women are too picky -- find a man of character and lock him down! Character is key, but there are so many other factors necessary in a successful partnership. Connection. Friendship. Compatibility. Chemistry. McMillan dismisses the need for sexual attraction as shallow, but it's clearly essential.

Sloane Crosley put it best, "Husbands are like tattoos -- you should wait until you come across something you want on your body for the rest of your life..."

The world should stand back admire single women instead of perpetually trying to fix us or fix us up. We're smart enough to know that Prince Charming is the stuff of silly fairytales, but we're definitely going to hold out for a hero.

A version of this article originally appeared in Sun Media newspapers.

 

Follow Sofi Papamarko on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@sexytypewriter

In a HuffPost article that went mega-viral, television writer Tracy McMillan detailed the reasons she believes single women aren't yet married. In "Why You're Not Married," McMillan insists that sing...
In a HuffPost article that went mega-viral, television writer Tracy McMillan detailed the reasons she believes single women aren't yet married. In "Why You're Not Married," McMillan insists that sing...
 
 
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11:37 AM on 09/05/2011
Having just read the Tracy McMillan article, I want to say THANK YOU for writing such a compelling counter argument to that outdated and poisonous nonsense.

I'm a 28 year old man with no real intention of marrying, and I'm in love with a wonderful woman, AND I look forward (if the relationship remains strong) to spending the rest of my life with her.

Here's why I think it'll work. We will continue to be honest about what we require from our relationship, we will continue to have excellent sex (even if it means occasional lapses into an open relationship), we will continue to have our own friends and our own lives (because, yes, that's important), and we will surely never expect one another to do each others laundry.

In short, we will elevate one another, and not the opposite, because we'll always be free to do so.

Some norms have got to go. Kudos to you Sofi for your brave article.
08:14 AM on 09/03/2011
In the "old days" men married women so they could have sex. Women weren't "giving it away" like they do now. There is a saying "Men give love to get sex, women give sex to get love". Probably the truest thing ever said. Today men have no reason to get married. Women do everything for them. Have sex and babies like it's no big deal. And the men leave them anyway. My advice to women: Hold out and love yourself more than you love the idea of marriage. Also if marriage is so great why is the divorce rate so high? Happiness is the key whether you are single or married. Too many people go into marriage thinking someone will make them happy but you are the one responsible for your own happiness. Studies have shown that most people get married and stay married for 3 reasons. 1. Financial 2. For sex 3. Because they are too scared to be alone. That's why in prison the worst thing they do is put you in "solitary confinement" because people can't stand their own company.
11:45 PM on 09/02/2011
I met many 40 plus successful women who were drowning themselves in a favourite Drink because
their College Roomate was all excited about attending the Graduation Ceremonies of their Children.
Even Gloria Steinam got married ! You may become many things in your life, but the fact remains that
in the end Lonelness will will take its' toll and eat you up until you become one or more of tthe first
mentioned six.
Not accepting anything less than what you think you deserve ,may just be part of the problem.
Perhaps men are thinking the exact same thoughts. Yes they may be a little bald and perhaps they really cannot hold a conversation on Trivial matters, but they just might be the guy who would treat
you like a Queen. Stop trying so hard to be a Superwoman because in the end all that really
matters is whether you have someone who actually cares for you, and says I love you on a regular basis.
10:17 AM on 07/13/2011
This is a great article, I too love the tattoo quote. I often get down on myself for feeling there is "something wrong with me" but this really helped put things in perspective for me, and helped me see a few points I didn't look at before. :) thanks!
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Sir Byzantium
Nihil novi sub sole
01:18 AM on 07/12/2011
I think more often than not, all of us, whether we be male or female, tend to judge ourselves and others on the basis of relationships, number of children, and sexual experiences. I'll be repeating a common cliché here, but one that I feel is very true: you must learn to love yourself before you can really learn to truly love others.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DianaLynn1967
It's a great life if you don't weaken!
12:33 PM on 07/09/2011
"Husbands are like tattoos -- you should wait until you come across something you want on your body for the rest of your life..." All else aside, this quotation needs to be a bumper sticker!
10:19 AM on 07/13/2011
Agree! Love it.
04:18 AM on 07/09/2011
I totally agree with you Sofi! My parents need to read this and leave me alone.
10:19 AM on 07/13/2011
Haha...maybe I'll print it out and give it to mine as well.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ginas13
03:57 PM on 07/08/2011
I repect George Clooney for not getting married. He knows that it doesn't work for him. People need to be honest about their intents. I can't stand people that are cheaters. If you can't be faithful why get married?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Vivian Alicia Evans
01:41 AM on 07/11/2011
This is a good article but Clooney is single because his interest lies with the other sex! Lol.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CHMB
What's long and brown and sticky? A Stick.
03:39 PM on 07/08/2011
Well said, Sofi. There are many people who don't measure their self-worth via their marital status.

There are plenty of people out there who are happy and are not involved with anyone. I say good on them! I'd much rather be single and happy than in a relationship and miserable. Having been in both, the former is much better than the latter.
01:53 PM on 07/08/2011
I love this article. Thank you Sofi. Single women have to work at enjoying being single because there's so much pressure (sometimes subliminal, sometimes pushy) to be married. Wanting to find someone who is loving and enjoyable to spend time with is different than feeling like you need to "Be Married." Not Being Married is completely wonderful.
01:52 PM on 07/08/2011
... That list made me smile. I figure, if you're married and happy, more power to you! The same goes for the single ladies.

With that said, individuals, whether married or single, that ARE happy don't/shouldn't feel the need to bash their counterparts.

For the record - there's no ring on it, and I don't feel any need to justify why. (High five that!)
01:41 PM on 07/08/2011
Why is it necessary for women to depict either the single or married woman as better depending on which category you belong under? Do what works for you rather than what others demand of you. Stop judging each other and just live your own life. Each person has a purpose in life and marriage is not a necessity in everyone's life. These reasons for being single are just generalizations. Women need to start showing respect for each other and the important roles we adopt whether married or single. www.bodhisattvahc.com
08:43 AM on 09/03/2011
Thank you I agree totally.
12:38 PM on 07/08/2011
You mean Tracy McMillan is not even married herself? From the reasons that she listed, seems like she does not think very much of herself. Not to say that everyone who is married does the following, but I know two people who realized that they should not get married before the wedding and did it anyway. One got divorced very shortly afterward and it cost them dearly, the other is miserable and can't afford to get a divorce... also know many happily married people, too though. It is very easy to get caught up in the fantasy of it all.
12:22 PM on 07/08/2011
The real difference between men and women when it comes to marriage?
A woman will wait until she finds the right man, and then will want to marry that man.
A man decides the time is right for him to settle down, and then will want to marry whoever he happens to be dating at that time.
01:06 PM on 07/08/2011
True, women can learn a lot from men.
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angelcakesinc
Silence is death
02:47 PM on 07/08/2011
Yeah, why bother settling down with someone you actually LIKE when you can have anyone else? Great philosophy!
12:07 PM on 07/08/2011
It takes a mighty fine man/woman to be better than no man/woman at all. In the mean time, use a condom!
12:49 PM on 07/08/2011
LOL!!!!
02:38 PM on 07/08/2011
It worked for me. Got a might fine man and no longer need condoms.