Understanding Singleness: A Phenomenological Study of Single Women in Beijing and Singapore

Authors

Chin-Siang Ang Dr., TMC AcademyFollow
Kam-Fong Lee Ms., UCSI UniversityFollow
Xinyi Lie Ms., University of NorthamptonFollow

Abstract

The aim of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding in the lives of single women by exploring their thoughts and experiences of being single. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews of a group of six well-educated, ethnic Chinese single women aged between 30 and 45 living in Beijing and Singapore. Transcribed interviews were analysed through reading and rereading and culling for like phrases and themes that are then grouped to form clusters of meaning. Through this process, we found four salient themes: (a) the women had equivocal feelings over the reasons they were single; (b) they recognized the advantages, disadvantages, and ambivalence of singlehood; (c) they took a pragmatic approach towards their singleness; and (d) they coped singleness with various practical strategies. Implications related to clinical practice and areas of further research are discussed.

Keywords

Single Women, Phenomenological Study, Lived Experience, Beijing, Singapore

Author Bio(s)

Chin-Siang Ang is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Academic Director of Academic Division at TMC Academy, Singapore. His research involves the disciplines of developmental psychology and positive psychology. His research deals with the psychosocial determinants that influence adolescents and young adults’ development and well-being. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: austin_ang119@hotmail.com.

Kam-Fong Lee is currently a lecturer in the Department of English Language and Communication at UCSI University. Her area of interest in research includes Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFC), Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis and Academic Writing Skills. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: lee_kf@ucsiuniversity.edu.my.

Xinyi Lie obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Northampton. She is currently doing her master’s degree in counselling in University of Otago. Her area of interest in research includes singlehood and marriage. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: 18425408@northampton.ac.uk.

Publication Date

8-17-2020

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4269

Recommended APA Citation

Ang, C., Lee, K., & Lie, X. (2020). Understanding Singleness: A Phenomenological Study of Single Women in Beijing and Singapore. The Qualitative Report, 25(8), 3080-3100. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4269