“I’m not a typical Maltese woman” : stories of single women and the contingency of the ‘single status’ in Malta

Abstract

This study examines the identities of single women through a collection of personal reflections and unique personal stories on their lived experiences, aspirations, influences, life and career goals, living arrangements and also the social and structural factors that led them to remain single. This study also investigates the challenges single women face with regards to society's expectations, marriage and motherhood, family and societal acceptance and the difficulties, biases and stereotypes which Maltese single women have encountered and still encounter. Within this interesting context, a qualitative approach was chosen for this study informed by a feminist approach and guided by intersectionality theory. The data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were carried out with three experts from different backgrounds and eight always-single Maltese women between the ages of 30-60, deriving from different social backgrounds and residing in different areas of Malta. After examining the implications and findings of this study, I trust that this study will help to advance a better understanding of singleness in Malta. I also anticipate that the findings will provoke debate that can help disrupt the marginalisation of single women in general and Maltese single women more specifically. Alongside recommendations for future research, this project has afforded insight into how systemic structures need to be adjusted to accommodate women with a single status. In this regard it is important that as society continues to change, more people, especially education practitioners, adopt the attitude that single life is a legitimate choice and a viable, alternative style of living. Ultimately, unless public concern is raised around the needs of single women and the public alters their views and perceptions about the value of single women, social policy changes will continue to be neglected, and single women will continue to experience an, until now, invisibility that impacts on equality, inclusion and social justice.