Single Women - Tuula

Historically women have been defined in relation to men. Single women have been represented both as "old maids" who could not get a man, and as "city-singles" who do not want a man. Both stereotypes potentially marginalize single women in family-centred societies. But there is also increasing diversity in family and household formations.;This book explores both continuities and changes in the position of single women (unmarried and divorced) in London, the San Francisco Bay area and Helsinki, Finland. The 72 women interviewed are a heterogeneous group in terms of occupation, ethnic grouping and sexual orientation.;Their struggles to establish autonomy and independence are analyzed - single women are learning a "new script". Simple generalizations are avoided, and the diversity of single women is emphasized. The theoretical concerns of the book centre on "individual", and "individuality" as gender-specific concepts.;Tuula Gordon is the author of "Hidden Messages: An Equal Opportunities Teaching Pack" and "Feminist Mothers", and co-author of "Democracy in One School? Progressive Education and Restructuring".