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

Introduction

The intellectual challenge that the Singleton project will tackle is identifying the relationship formation pathways of young adults in industrialized countries. This project departs from the currently couple-centered research approach of young adulthood in which developmental pathways always seem to lead to Mount Marriage or Cohabitation Hill.

Hidden Relationship Pathways

In contrast, we argue that there is a fundamental hidden relationship pathway in young adulthood where individuals might be experiencing difficulties in finding the right partner, maintaining a relationship, or where they make a deliberate choice to remain single for longer periods.

Singleton Trajectory

This Singleton trajectory is characterized by a sequence of relatively short-lived committed relationships. The central question addressed in the Singleton project is therefore why, how, when, and for whom this relationship trajectory manifests itself.

Project Aims

Accordingly, the project has four interrelated aims:

1. The empirical description of the share of Singletons in three birth cohorts.
2. The project will look at the internal dynamics of relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution from a multi-actor perspective to identify differences between young adults.
3. The project will investigate how social networks, educational trajectories, and career prospects influence the development of relationship trajectories in young adulthood.
4. A final aim will look at the macro level and incorporate the rise of a “single culture” as part of a new explanatory framework for understanding the Singleton trajectory.

Methodology

Methodologically, we apply a Longitudinal Explanatory Mixed Methods model (2 quantitative and 2 qualitative waves) concentrating on 3 cohorts in young adulthood.

Innovation

This project innovates on a theoretical and methodological level by integrating theories from various fields (demography, sociology, and developmental psychology), redefining determinants, and launching a much-needed new research tradition in Single Studies.