JANA HOCKING: The little-known fact about female psychology that explains the ‘mating crisis’ – and it’s why everyone is single now

Fact: Last year, I remained mostly single. Give or take a few situationships and a cheeky one-night stand. And so did most of my girlfriends.

And as I scratch my head and ponder who coupled up among the at least 20 gorgeously single women in my social circle, there are only two girlfriends I know who had the ‘let’s make it official’ chat with the man-of-the-moment in their lives.

The rest of us remained ‘on the shelf’, as my horrifically old-fashioned great uncle likes to call it (but, may I add, on the shelf willingly). Could I, and my fellow womenfolk, have shacked up with a bloke if we wanted to? Sure. But did we? No.

The guys who put themselves forward for the job were fine, sweet, perfectly capable. But did we align in ways that would enhance our lives? Not really.

You see, last year, you couldn’t escape one simple fact: women were in a ‘mating crisis’. Or so the experts kept calling it in those viral clips flooding our social media feeds. Yes, the world was suddenly single (and looking mighty fine, may I just add).

The experts harped on about one simple truth: as women level up in education and their careers, they naturally look for partners who are equally smashing it – or better. 

But here’s the catch: that shrinks the dating pool a LOT. Especially as more women are heading to university, while fewer men do the same (don’t bite my head off, blokes, it’s just simple facts).

This means plenty of brilliant, independent women are flying solo. Not because they can’t find a date but because finding someone who ticks all the boxes (and doesn’t get intimidated by their success) is like searching for a Chanel bag at a garage sale. Sure, it could happen, but don’t hold your breath. And honestly, can you blame them? Standards are the new sexy.

Think about it, how many couples do you know who called it quits last year? And most of those splits were initiated by women. It felt like everyone was breaking up.

Single women weren’t just embracing their independence last year – they were owning it. And the numbers back it up.

First up, let’s talk living arrangements. The number of single-person households in the U.S. has skyrocketed – up more than fivefold since the 1960s, hitting a whopping 37.8 million in 2022. That’s a whole lot of women living their best solo lives, free to leave their bras on the floor and their wine glasses unwashed (no judgment from me).

And single women aren’t just renting – they’re buying. They own 58 per cent of the nearly 35.2 million homes owned by unmarried Americans. Yes, ladies are out there signing mortgage papers while their exes are still splitting the rent on dingy apartments with their college buddies. Economic independence? Checkmate.

Meanwhile, over in the UK, women are smashing the careers game. Back in the 1970s, only 52 per cent of women were in the workforce. Today, that number has hit 72 per cent. With those paychecks rolling in, it’s no wonder women are ditching the ‘happily ever after’ myth for a happily independent reality.

And the pièce de résistance? Women are now more educated than ever before. More women than men are earning college degrees in the U.S., giving them the upper hand in everything from paychecks to power plays. Who needs a knight in shining armour when you’ve got a master’s degree and a killer 401(k)?

And let’s not forget people are waiting longer to tie the knot – if they tie it at all. The median age for first marriages is now 30.1 for men and 28.2 for women. We’re no longer rushing to say ‘I do’ just because society says we should. Nope, we’re busy living life on our own terms.

Jana Hocking examines the ‘mating crisis’ – and why she’s embracing the freedom, fun and flings that come with it

One man’s ‘mating crisis’ is another woman’s fist pump for freedom. Huzzah!

Remember when being single past a certain age made you the social equivalent of unclaimed baggage at the airport – ignored, pitied, judged? I mean, they made a whole Bridget Jones franchise out of it. Oh, how times have changed!

Over the past year or so, the narrative has flipped. Single women are no longer society’s leftovers, they’re its secret sauce. How do I know? I’m a living, breathing and perfectly functioning example of this new plot twist.

Just two months ago, I hopped on a plane to New York City. Why? No major reason. There were just a few fun things happening over there that I fancied going to. So, being a single career woman with a few funds in the bank, I had the freedom to do so. Guess who tried to stop me? No one.

There were no kids to shepherd to school or footy practice. No man whingeing that I was leaving him stranded. Nope, I was free to do what (and who) I jolly well liked. And dear reader, I did.

I went out with my group of four girls and two gays to many a rambunctious party. I had a cheeky fling with my very own Mr Big – a charming and mightily successful, salt-and-pepper-haired New Yorker who made me feel like a goddess. Then I jumped back on the plane to Sydney feeling revived and alive. It really put a pep in my step.

How did I ring in the New Year? At North Bondi Fish with my girlfriends for a long, boozy lunch, before hopping on a boat to watch the fireworks rain down over Sydney Harbour Bridge, champagne in hand as we cheered the night away. It was glorious!

The next day? No hangover-fuelled chaos trying to entertain kids or a husband. I got up, threw myself in the ocean for a quick swim, ordered Uber Eats, and spent the day binge-watching Real Housewives before heading out for a cheeky ‘hair of the dog’ with friends. Okay, okay, and a cheeky ‘you up?’ text to a former flame to quell the hangover horn.

So, do you know what this ‘mating crisis’ has really brought the single women of the world? Freedom, funds, and flings – and I, for one, am very much here for it.

And you, dear reader? What has single life given you that you wouldn’t trade for the world? Tell me your stories: jana.hocking@mailonline.com