Singlehood

Prinsipal Investigator

Elyakim Kislev

Associate Professor
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Project period

2025 – 2027

Abstract

Over recent decades, the world has witnessed a notable rise in singlehood, with an increasing number of individuals opting to live without a long-term romantic partner. This global shift reflects broader social changes, including urbanization, the rise of the welfare state, advancements in women's rights, increased longevity, and the impact of technological innovations, particularly in communication and reproductive health. 

Despite the growing prevalence of singlehood, current policies are still largely designed around traditional family structures, often neglecting the unique needs of single individuals. Social policies, tax systems, and legal frameworks frequently disadvantage singles, who may face higher taxes, limited access to social security benefits, and inadequate workplace policies that fail to account for their specific caregiving needs and life choices. This lack of policy consideration exacerbates social inequalities and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by single individuals.

Members

• Elke Claessens, Post‑Doctoral Researcher/Guest Professor, University of Antwerp, Belgium
• Brittany Dennett, PhD Candidate, Simon Fraser University, Canada
• Keren Eisen, PhD Candidate, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
• Alexandra Fischer, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Zhe Zhang, PhD Candidate, Vanderbilt University, USA

Hosting Institutions

• Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS)
• Paris Institute for Advanced Study (IAS Paris)
• Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) at The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
• Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh (IASH)
• Israel Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS)