The Atlantic's 'Single Ladies' cover story: 6 takeaways

Writer Kate Bolick investigates the state of modern marriage and concludes that women might be better off just staying single

In her Atlantic cover story, Kate Bolick argues that we're in a new era of relationships in which many women are forgoing marriage altogether.
(Image credit: Facebook/The Atlantic)

In her ubiquitous 2008 hit song "Single Ladies," Beyonce tells men, on behalf of unwed women, that they "should have put a ring on it" if they liked "it." Now, in this month's lengthy Atlantic cover story, titled "All the Single Ladies," writer Kate Bolick says that, at age 39, she's perfectly happy ring-free, thank you. Bolick's not alone. More and more American women (and men) are spending more — if not all — of their adult lives unmarried. In her story, Bolick takes a deep look at American marriage in the 21st century, and contemplates whether it's still necessary — or viable. Here, six of the most interesting takeaways from her buzzed-about story:

1. Women don't need husbands the way they used to

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us