Beyond the voluntariness dichotomy: perspectives of singles regarding relationship formation

This article focuses on the heterogeneity of perspectives of singles towards relationship formation. A framework-informed thematic analysis was used to comprehensively understand the reflective views on one’s singlehood status. As a heuristic framework, the ready–willing–able (RWA) framework captures the diversity and fluidity of these reflections to offer a more nuanced understanding than the traditional dichotomy of voluntary and involuntary singlehood. The study entails 40 in-depth interviews with singles. These interviews provided rich narratives which revealed the multifaceted experiences and perceptions of singlehood, highlighting the fluid nature of this status. The study contributes to the literature on singlehood by offering a multifaceted and fluid conceptualisation of singles’ experiences and perceptions, and it also provides a robust framework for future research in this area. The RWA framework is valuable for a more encompassing understanding of singlehood.