UK Singles Reimagining Friendship, Marriage, and Finances

Singles HAVE THEIR SAY UK SINGLES REIMAGINING FRIENDSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND FINANCES UK singles are changing the perceived value of friendships, relationships, and marriage. Singles are placing more importance on friendships, making marriage less of a priority, and want institutions and society to recognise it. What's more, they're also reclaiming their image, changing it from the traditional sad singleton to the proud, financially liberated, and positive individual. UK SINGLES REDEFINING FRIENDSHIP'S IMPORTANCE UK Singles' Unbreakable Friendships Where Singles Turn Singles in the UK are putting friendship first and love second. They're redefining an often overlooked relationship. Singles keep their friends close-and in many cases closer than even their own family. 1 IN 4 singles say friends are more reliable than family. Family 30% 72% of singles have friends whom they think will be friends for life. 45% of singles turn to their friends first for emotional of singles say the person who knows them best is a friend. support. Friend Friendships Outlasting Love Love might not be, but mates are for life, according to the majority of UK singles. 4 m5 Per Cent of Singles Who Say Friendships Last Longer Than Romantic Relationship OUT OF MOST AGREEMENT LEAST AGREEMENT 78% 73% 89% 86% singles say friendships last longer than romantic relationships. East Anglia North East London West Midlands SINGLES DEMAND FRIENDSHIP'S FINANCIAL RECOGNITION Singles Say Insurers Should Recognise Their Relationships Friends and Finances With their friends so important to them, many singles are mixing friendships with their finances. Commitment to one's mates, or “mate-trimony," is becoming as important as marriage to UK singles. 1 IN 4 singles would go to their friends first to discuss money worries. 43% of singles say the law should recognise friendship as being just as important as marriage. 3 IN 10 singles have lent money to a friend in the last year. 59% of singles would consider insuring the life of a friend if they bought a house together. 1 IN 4 singles would go to friends first if they needed money urgently. INTRODUCING THE FINANCIALLY LIBERATED AND POSITIVELY SINGLE (FLAPers) No Longer Sad Singletons Turning Marriage on Its Head Singles are reinventing the Bridget Jones image and are now embracing the adventure and spontaneity of single life. For many financially liberated and positive singles, marriage is no longer the priority. 54% 41% say that singles make more effort to try new things than married couples. think that single people are more fun. 40% 35% 69% of singles think marriage lacks the of singles who have of singles not in a serious relationship Singles are 3 TIMES never been married think they will get married in the future. value it once had. think that married more likely to say that singles are more sociable than married couples. people shouldn't get a better deal in society than singles. SOURCE: 2000 single UK adults were interviewed. Fieldwork was conducted 20–24 April 2012, and the research was carried out online by Future Poll for Confused.com, 2012. Confused.com