The Dystopia of Modern Singlehood
· business
The Dystopia of Modern Singlehood
The new film One Night Only has been making waves with its dystopian premise: a government-enforced ban on premarital sex in a not-too-distant future. While some have dismissed it as an absurd fantasy, the movie captures something fundamental about the struggles of modern singlehood. Beneath the satire and absurdity lies a searing portrait of loneliness, isolation, and exploitation – one that resonates all too closely with our own world.
The film’s protagonist, Allie, is a single woman navigating a society designed almost exclusively for couples. She faces numerous obstacles: overpriced essentials, tax breaks denied her, health-care benefits out of reach. This reality is nothing new; the “singles tax” has long been a cruel aspect of modern life. Singles are forced to pay more for everything from housing to healthcare, and are often denied access to tax breaks and other perks available to couples.
But One Night Only also highlights the internalized shame and anxiety that comes with being single in today’s culture. Allie and her friends are constantly bombarded by ads targeting them: “You’ve been training for this one night,” Equinox taunts; “Get lingual for the one night,” Duolingo urges. The pressure to conform, to fit into a narrow mold of what it means to be single, is suffocating.
The film’s portrayal of singles as pawns in a cruel game – exploited by authorities and by each other – is all too recognizable. We live in a society where singles are forced to compete for scraps, where the market dictates their worth and happiness. This is evident in the research: single people who report being sexually satisfied tend to have greater well-being. However, only about 15-30% of singles are actually sexually active – and for those who aren’t, the pressure to conform can be overwhelming.
The film’s portrayal of the “singles tax” as a fundamental aspect of our own culture is strikingly accurate. We live in a society designed by and for couples – and as a result, singles are often forced to navigate a world that seems hostile to their very existence. This is not just a product of government policies; it’s a fundamental aspect of our own culture.
The movie’s director, Will Gluck, aimed to create an “abstract portrait” of modern singlehood – and in many ways, One Night Only succeeds where so much else fails. It’s a movie that doesn’t shy away from the messiness, complexity, and cruelty of our own world.
One Night Only portrays singles as isolated and alone, struggling to find connection in a society designed to keep them apart. This is not just a product of the film’s premise; it’s a fundamental aspect of our own culture. Singles are forced to navigate a complex web of societal expectations, pressure to conform, and economic inequality – all while being denied access to resources available to couples.
The future of singles is one of uncertainty – but also of possibility. With One Night Only as our guide, maybe it’s time for us to rethink the way we design our society, to create a world that values and supports single people, rather than exploiting them for profit.
Reader Views
- TNThe Newsroom Desk · editorial
The article hits the nail on the head in highlighting the systemic disparities faced by singles, but I'd like to see more attention given to the role of technology in exacerbating these issues. Social media platforms, for instance, often perpetuate unrealistic expectations and reinforce the notion that singleness is only temporarily acceptable until one finds a partner. Moreover, dating apps themselves have become a source of economic strain, with users being forced to pay exorbitant fees or spend hours swiping through profiles in search of connection. By examining how tech companies are cashing in on our loneliness, we can get a more complete picture of the true dystopia facing modern singles.
- DHDr. Helen V. · economist
While the film One Night Only aptly captures the struggles of modern singlehood, its portrayal of singles as pawns in a cruel game glosses over a critical issue: the role of social isolation in perpetuating these problems. Research has shown that individuals with strong social connections are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors and have better mental health outcomes. Yet, many societies, including our own, fail to provide adequate support for singles who may not fit traditional nuclear family structures or prioritize friendships over romantic relationships. By neglecting this aspect, we risk perpetuating a cycle of loneliness and isolation that undermines the very notion of individual freedom touted in dystopian narratives like One Night Only.
- MTMarcus T. · small-business owner
The film's critique of the singles tax is well-taken, but we're missing a crucial discussion on agency and choice. What about those who actively reject traditional relationship structures? We're not just talking about introverts or lifelong bachelors – what about single parents, freelancers, and entrepreneurs like myself, who choose to prioritize our businesses over romantic partnerships? The movie's narrative relies heavily on the assumption that everyone desires a partner; but what about those of us who see value in independence and self-reliance?