Utoft started her research on singlehood during the COVID-19 pandemic. She noticed that while many people discussed the struggles of working parents, few mentioned colleagues who lived alone. There was no space for the single experience, even when singlehood and solo-living are rapidly growing demographic categories,' she says. This insight led to her first paper about scholars who worked from home without a partner and kids. And while Utoft doesn't want to criticise parents, she does want to show that other ways of living also matter. Her research then grew into a more detailed study of singlehood and academic careers.
We must stop thinking that being single is always temporary
Why singlehood?
Utoft argues that society’s views on single lives are shaped by stereotypes 'For starters, singles don't have the joyful life celebrations or milestones couples usually have, like baby showers or weddings,' Utoft says. As a result, people often assume that singles are not yet properly adult or ‘settled’. And even when singlehood is a choice, society generally considers you a lonely person with an empty life. Ample research, however, debunks such misconceptions. Workplaces also reflect this issue. 'People expect singles to do more work because they are seen as having nothing to go home to,' Utoft says. This can create an unfair work-life balance. Hobbies, friends or pets don't count as valid reasons to leave work on time.
Research is never neutral because researchers are part of the social worlds they study
A feminist special issue
Utoft wants the academic world to recognise and normalise singlehood. 'We must stop thinking that being single is always temporary,' she says. With two colleagues, she's soon publishing a special issue of the Dutch Journal of Gender Studies (Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies) that incorporates feminist, queer, anti-racist, and activist approaches. Her goal is to make singlehood a serious research topic and a matter of policy and social importance.
As always, the personal is political!
In gender and queer studies, personal stories matter. 'Research is never neutral because researchers are part of the social worlds they study.' Utoft explains. That's why we need research that not only describes problems but also helps to address and change them. This special issue includes voices from Australia, India, the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands. 'I look forward to rereading all the contributions and learning from them,' Utoft says. And this, ultimately, may be at the very core of her work on singlehood and maybe even gender studies in general: the realisation and recognition that a personal situation can simultaneously be (and often is) a shared experience. Therefore, it deserves research and action.
Come celebrate the release of the special issue with Utoft at VU Amsterdam
Utoft will celebrate the release of the feminist special issue on singlehood on Friday 28 November 13:00 - 16:30 at VU Amsterdam (De Boelenlaan 1105, Amsterdam) . Want to join this special event? Register via:
Singlehood in focus: Bridging research, activism and everyday life
Vox: In a nutchell podcast
Want to learn more about singlehood studies? Check out Vox’s ‘In a nutshell’ podcast interview with Ea Høg Utoft.