Single middle-aged women: self- and other women’s perseption (theoretical and applied aspects)

Abstract

The feeling of loneliness is an important part of human life. Particular relevance the issues of loneliness acquired in post-industrial age, when there are fundamental changes in social institutions, vision of the world. Transformation of the institution of the family, the individualization of the society, the growth of economic welfare in developed countries has led to the spread of a new category of people – «Singleton». Despite the many scientific works on loneliness, the area of interdependence perceptions about the role of the family in the society of our country and the phenomenon of loneliness remains unexplored.
The purpose of this research was to study the practice of «solo living» of middle-aged women by identifying the ideas about family of alone women, their perception of single women – on the one hand, and evaluation of single women their «illegitimate» status. Attempt was carried out on the basis of in-depth interviews to provide a detailed description and classification of representations of loneliness as a position without a partner of women with different marital status. It was identified the factors which causing possible influence on the formation of a particular type of representation loneliness. Method of qualitative analysis showed that, despite the change of the political regime in the country, globalization, and the interpenetration of cultures, solo living for most is not frowned upon, and understandable strategy of privacy.
The results of this study may be useful for the solution of demographic problems in Russia, contribute to the accumulated knowledge about the phenomenon of loneliness.