New Harris Poll Survey Finds America’s Singles Are Happy, Fulfilled, and Seeking Dates, Not...
NEW YORK, February 13, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Rom-coms, Hallmark movies and even Valentine's cards may need a rewrite: Most single people say they don't need a mate for their life story to have a happy ending. That's according to "Singles in America Survey," the latest research from The Harris Poll, Thought Leadership Practice, released today.
Among other findings: Whether to expect a man to pick up the check on Valentine's Day; what Americans have in common with penguins, dogs and cats; what singles prefer: cleaning toilets or going on online dates.
The poll was conducted in late January 2023 using a nationally representative sample of 2,004 U.S. adults. Its central finding is that most single people actually like being single - they're happy to be pursuing their own passions, they feel more in control of their finances, and they're tired of society and media saying otherwise.
"Our perceptions of single Americans need to be reexamined," says Libby Rodney, futurist and chief strategy officer at The Harris Poll. "We need to shift the dialogue from something society needs to fix, like in your standard rom-com, to something many people are finding fulfilling and are doing by choice."
Census data shows that roughly half of Americans are single. The Harris Poll research found that 56% of single respondents don't want to change that status, saying that the statement "I am not looking for a relationship" best describes them. That result is strong across generations, selected by 35% of Gen Z and 30% of Boomer respondents.
Why do they feel that way? The Harris Poll survey suggests that singles are happier and more fulfilled. Nearly half of American singles (48%) agreed that "Singlehood is the most meaningful, authentic and fulfilling way of life." And when asked for details, they provided many reasons why:
- Having more time to pursue my interests and passions (cited by 86% of singles)
- Focusing more on my personal growth (84%)
- Having more time and energy to devote to friendships (82%)
- Not worrying about a partner's debt or financial obligations (81%)
- Having more time to grow and develop my career (79%)
Single life fosters financial independence - but costs more
Indeed, financial and career issues played a large role in singles' preferences. American singles strongly agreed that flying solo helps them financially - but that government policies also hurt them.
Seven out of 10 (71%) singles agreed "being single taught me how to work with my money really well," and nearly as many (68%) say that they "feel financially empowered and more in control by being single." Six out of 10 (59%) say they don't plan to ever merge their finances with a partner.
However, people recognize that the single life can be more expensive - and they're not happy about it. Strong majorities of singles "dislike paying more taxes than married couples" (74%) and "paying more for healthcare and social benefits than married couples" (68%).
And all Americans, single and in relationships, see that as a problem: Three-quarters (76%) recognize that it "can be more affordable to be in a relationship" because of cost-sharing and tax policies, and just as many (79%) say the government should "offer more tax breaks for single people."
That may be a sign of a growing realization by all Americans, both single and those in relationships, that the single life can be a rewarding one - and that single life gets a raw deal from the media.
- Eight in 10 Americans (79%) say "You don't need to get married to have a happy and fulfilling life."
- Two-thirds (68%) say they believe "the stigma of being single is gradually diminishing."
- Two-thirds (68%) also say "I'm tired of media and advertising showing a false idealistic image that being in a relationship is the only way to live a happy life."
Not only are most singles uninterested in finding a partner, they're being more cost-conscious about dating, saying they've made or would be open to making changes due to rising inflation:
- 69%: choosing an activity, like going for a hike, over going out for dinner or drinks
- 55%: hosting a first date at home
- 50%: cutting back or eliminating gift-giving
- 50%: filtering their potential dates to "only financially secure candidates"
While 44% say they've tried or would be willing to go on a virtual date in order to reduce expenses, many singles would do almost anything other than an online date:
- 44% of Gen Z "would rather clean the toilet than go another online date"
- 30% of Gen Z "would rather walk across hot coals than go on another online date"
- 22% of Millennials "would rather have their tooth pulled than go on another online date."
For Gen Z and Millennial singles wondering if they need to buy a gift for a Valentine's Day date, the poll results offer guidance on how to tell if you're in a relationship. For example, both groups say attending a party together is just dating, while attending a family holiday event is being in a relationship.
But the groups differ on the significance of "middle ground" activities: For Gen Z, meeting friends, parents, or posting a couple's picture on social media is just dating - but to Millennials, all of those are relationship territory.
Preferred relationship style varies by generation
Finally, the poll examines just what types of relationships singles may seek and found generational differences there as well. About half of all people see themselves as penguins - one mate for life. Roughly equal shares saw themselves as birds (19% want a partner but are free to explore) and dogs (16% want to experience as many partners as possible), while 11% saw themselves as cats, indifferent to partners, who may come and go.
Some differences, as expected, appear age-related - two-thirds (66%) of Boomers choose "penguin" (one mate for life), compared to 40% of Gen Z. Others, though, are more surprising: One in five Gen Zs went with "cat" (indifferent, allow partners to come and go), almost twice as many as the other four groups (9% to 11%). And one in four Millennials (24%) prefers a dog's life, wanting to experience as many partners as possible, far more often than the other groups (9% to 18%).
One possible reason: it's just hard to find the right person. Nearly eight in 10 of all respondents said that "finding the right partner is harder than finding the right job."
Rodney says single people are showing us the need to rethink how society sees and values personal relationships.
"It's worth noting that being single isn't void of anything," she said. "There is a spectrum of deep and meaningful relationships single people are involved in, and it's important to recognize the richness of their relationship choices."
To learn more about The Harris Poll for Thought Leadership and the Singles in America poll, visit this link.
About the Singles in America Survey
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll from Jan. 20 to 22, 2023, among a nationally representative sample of 2,004 U.S. adults. This research includes 700 singles and 1,262 of those who are not, as well as 181 Gen Z (ages 18-25), 611 Millennials (ages 26-41), 522 Gen X (ages 42-57), and 655 Boomers (ages 58 and older).
About Harris Poll Thought Leadership Practice
Building on 50+ years of experience pulsing societal opinion, we design research that is credible, creative, and culturally relevant. Our practice drives thought leadership and unearths trends for today's biggest brands. We are focused on helping our clients get ahead of what's next.
Contact Information:Madeleine Moench
madeleine@newswire.com
Original Source: New Harris Poll Survey Finds America's Singles Are Happy, Fulfilled, and Seeking Dates, Not Mates
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Sadlier’s From Phonics to Reading Program Has Received Top Marks
NEW YORK, February 13, 2023 (Newswire.com) - William H. Sadlier, Inc. announced today that its foundational skills program, From Phonics to Reading, authored by Wiley Blevins, received "Top Marks" for alignment to the Phonics Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge (TEKS) standards as independently reviewed by Learning List, an instructional materials review service for schools and districts.
From Phonics to Reading, for Grades K-3, addresses all foundational skills and fosters students' understanding and working knowledge of print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency. The program pedagogy is based on over three decades of research and classroom practice by its author, Wiley Blevins.
Learning List completed a qualitative, standard-by-standard review of the alignment of From Phonics to Reading to the Phonics TEKS K-3 standards. "Sadlier's From Phonics to Reading supports students in becoming readers by providing explicit and systemic phonics instruction reflective of the Science of Teaching Reading," said Jackie Lain, president of Learning List. "The program provides pedagogical support and content development for teachers, as well as guidance and resources to help parents support their child's reading development."
"My goal in creating this program with the Sadlier team was to provide a compact, efficient, affordable phonics resource that reflects the most current research on phonics, while addressing issues not commonly covered in available resources—including addressing the top 10 reasons why phonics instruction sometimes fails (10 Common Causes of Phonics Instruction Failure eBook), based on my most important work with school districts across the United States, South America, and Asia," said Wiley Blevins.
Theresa Thompson, President and CEO of Sadlier, said, "Our close relationship with author Wiley Blevins allowed us to develop From Phonics to Reading, relying on his expertise in the area of foundational skills and early literacy. We are proud to have received "Top Marks" for the program's alignment to the Phonics Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge (TEKS) standards from Learning List."
More information about From Phonics to Reading can be found here.
About William H. Sadlier, Inc.
William H. Sadlier, Inc. is a respected publisher of print and digital educational materials for PreK-12. Since 1832, Sadlier's pursuit of excellence has been driven by a commitment to meet the needs of the educational community. Sadlier programs offer strong instructional support to help students reach their full potential—in school and throughout life. www.SadlierSchool.com
About Learning List
Learning List's instructional materials review service provides independent, evidence-based alignment reports, instructional quality and technology compatibility reviews of thousands of the most widely used PreK-12 instructional materials. To learn more, go to Learninglist.com or call 512-234-4458.
Contact Information:Theresa Thompson
President and CEO
tthompson@sadlier.com
212-227-2120
Original Source: Sadlier's From Phonics to Reading Program Has Received Top Marks
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InvestChile: Foreign Investment Rises 12% in 2022 in Chile, Reaching US$17.1 Billion
SANTIAGO, Chile, February 11, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Chile's Central Bank reported this morning that between January and December 2022, Chile received US$17.10 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). According to InvestChile's analysis, this is 12% higher than total FDI over the same period in 2021, 36% higher than the five-year average of US$12.617 billion and 23% higher than the average for the 2003-2022 historic series (US$13.921 billion).
Equity participation was the leading component of FDI flow during the period, amounting to US$9.084 billion. Profit reinvestment followed, at US$6.664 billion, while debt instruments accounted for US$1.358 billion.
The figures published today are preliminary and may be adjusted when the Central Bank conducts its next review on March 18.
A good year for foreign investment in Chile
InvestChile Director, Karla Flores, highlighted that last year's total was the highest since 2015 and one of the highest in the historic series (2003-2022), excluding the mining boom (2010-2015). Flores added that it also reaffirms investors' willingness not only to maintain their holdings in the country, but also to expand existing operations. "We are looking at a long-term injection of capital and resources, given that 92% of the capital flow entering the country corresponded to new projects or the expansion of existing operations, and only 8% consisted of head office loans to their subsidiaries," outlined Flores.
As for InvestChile's plans for 2023, Flores affirmed that the agency will focus on attracting quality investment to markets classified as strategic, and will enhance that work with new Investment Attaché Offices in the United States, Germany, France, Italy and Canada, which will be added to the agency's existing Investment Attaché Office in Japan.
"Undoubtedly, 2023 will be challenging for foreign investment, but we have reason to be optimistic: Chile has become an investment pole in Latin America, especially in terms of technology infrastructure and clean energies, sectors that we believe will continue to develop this year. All companies that want to contribute to our country's sustainable development are welcome to implement their projects in Chile," affirmed Flores.
Contact Information:Denisse Vásquez
Journalist at InvestChile
dvasquez@investchile.gob.cl
Claudio Álvarez
Head of Communications at InvestChile
calvarez@investchile.gob.cl
Original Source: InvestChile: Foreign Investment Rises 12% in 2022 in Chile, Reaching US$17.1 Billion
