More women getting degrees but staying single.
Chances are you know a young lady who’s educated, successful in her professional career, but still single even if she wants to find a partner. It’s a growing national trend that Idaho’s apart of, and it could partially deal with the number of women getting college degrees.
“The US especially is becoming more of a service economy rather than a manufacturing economy,” said Dr. Clint Elison, a sociology professor at Brigham Young University – Idaho. “And women are thriving in those types of jobs. And they’re just far more likely than men to pursue or I should say complete college degrees.”
Estimates from the US census in 2012 say that of the country’s 22 – 29 year old population there are 5.5 million single college educated women compared to 4.1 million men of the same category. Eastern Idaho in particular see’s a larger number of educated women verses men. Bingham, Bonneville, Jefferson, Madison, Fremont, and Teton counties average a ratio of nearly two single women with a college degree for every one single man with similar education.
Elison says while difference in educational achievement between partners wasn’t a huge factor for past generations, it’s becoming a deciding factor for millennials. “They’re actually looking for someone who also has a college degree. If they’re unable to find someone who has a college degree, it might make them less likely to marry,” said Elison.
Katy Hall and Kristen Murphy are two women who fit into the “young, educated, and single” category. Both aren’t surprised by the numbers.
“It makes sense,” said Murphy. “You don’t see too many single guys running around who are my age, and are done with school.”
“You just have less dating opportunities,” said Hall. “Eventually i’d love to be married and have kids of my own, but it’s not something that I have complete control over. So until then you just kinda do your own thing.”
Murphy and Hall also say men just don’t seem to be asking girls out as often. “I also feel like things aren’t being called dates, they’re just being called ‘hanging out,'” said Murphy. “Things can’t even progress in that department because it’s not being identified as a date.”
Both Murphy and Hall say despite their status, they aren’t willing to settle for the first guy that knocks on their door. They understand why women would want a partner with some kind of educational achievement.
“I’d rather wait than date a guy who I’m going to have to support my whole life,” said Murphy.
While the “educated and single problem” is primarily a millennial generational problem, they’re not entirely alone. The next age group, ages 30 – 39, also boasts a female leaning ratio with an average of only four single men with degrees for every five women in the same bracket.
