A wonderful article in Forbes that says exactly what I think (adjusted for its US context of course). I was taking the cab home yesterday after a nice farewell dinner for a friend, and had a chat with the cab-driver. When he learnt I was single, he was so upset (I don't understand why, I am not his daughter) - and kept talking about the wonders of marriage. Wonders of marriage, my foot! 

All respect to you people out there who are happily married, but I have seen more than my fair share of unhappy, broken marriages - and I'll stay single and happy unless a really good option comes along, and I am not bothered if no such option ever do. 

We pay taxes to support other people who choose to have children (I don't really mind this too much -  I am more than happy to pay taxes to keep the kids in school until they grow up and hopefully become presentable in society), we are often the ones left with the care of frail elderly parents (who ironically can't get over their "failure" in getting their children married), the ones who are stuck in the office during peak vacation seasons such as Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, school vacations (because that is the only time kids can travel since there is no school), the ones who are left behind in the office to pick up the pieces because the parents have to rush off to pick up their children after school, to meet the teachers, because the children are sick, ill blah blah blah. And you have to wonder why on earth is there a perception that married people make better employees. 

And of course, my greatest grouse - we can't buy subsidised HDB flats from the government, and are not allowed to even buy HDB flats on the open market until we are 35. I am so sick and tired of the discrimination against singles! 

We take care of ourselves and our future, because we know that when we are old there may be no one who can or will take care of us. We contribute more to the economy as consumers because we have so much more free cash than married people (with or without kids). We work longer and harder and are more willing to explore opportunities, accept overseas postings etc because we unencumbered by family commitments. We bring the buzz to a city or a workplace simply because we hang out more, socialise more and find more ways to entertain ourselves. Singles are important. Singles should be favoured, not discriminated against!

My theory - people who are married are just jealous of singles. We have freedom to do what we want, when we want. So they try to tie us down with discriminatory legislation, unfair work practices to "level" the playing field so as to speak.  But hey, everyone is by default single unless they choose otherwise, so why blame us for choosing to remain single?

Singles Unite! Stop Discrimination!