[Letters] The rise of the ‘single tribe’

Being single past the marriageable age was once regarded as an embarrassing and frustrating experience for many men and women in Korea, especially when having to welcome a new year. Many had had to let out a sigh while writing that their New Year’s resolution was to get married in the coming year.

However, what used to be a minority of embarrassed thirtysomethings is now a large group of confidant men and women with strong financial means who are enjoying their lives as single people. They’ve been called the “single tribe” since several years ago and there are now reports that the “tribe” is expanding faster than ever.

Though there isn’t a conspicuous connection between the rise in the number of single people living alone and the increase in divorce rates or single-parent households, it seems necessary that we start thinking about what this trend might entail. We should try to learn from other nations, which is a practice that shouldn’t be restricted to the economy.

Woo Hyo-eun, student at Seoul Global High School