The Social Stigma of the Retired Single Female

The liberation of the single female has long been a subject for analysis amongst women and a matter of considerable aggravation to that creature of opposite persuasion in all things, the chauvinistic man.
In recent years there has been a noticeable blossoming of the species known in most social circles as the ‘retired single lady living alone.’ There was a time when such ladies were avoided like the plague by their married friends; the logic being that one’s husband might be lured away to the single lady’s boudoir for a little extra curricular entertainment.
Nowadays such ladies are regarded with a little more respect and consideration and in fact many women who find themselves alone at the end of their lives relish their single state, enjoying their freedom to choose how and with whom they might spend their time; embracing the idea of feminine independence, yet relishing the company of a circle of carefully selected friends.
There are one or two drawbacks to such a lifestyle, however. Certainly the obvious bug in the ointment might be the lack of male physical strength to open jars and put out the garbage, not to mention cleaning high windows, washing the car, moving furniture around when required and removing the odd offending spider or beetle, which personally I would rather die than attempt.
A less obvious disadvantage is emotional loneliness, the lack of someone to share dinner with in the evenings, someone to share time with on the weekend, and someone to look after you when you are not well; such incidences tend to occur more often later in life, so it is hardly sensible to choose a solitary lifestyle, just when a companion is most needed.
Many ladies in this position have had several male partners throughout their lives, each one coming to an end for a variety of reasons, some of them no fault of the lady. Reaching their late fifties, they find that men in their own age bracket are seeking the company of ladies a good fifteen years their junior.
Men who are considerably older are, of course, more likely to require nursing as they come to the end of their lives, so must be avoided at all cost and much younger men often have an unfortunate agenda when seeking the company of an elderly lady companion with substantial savings.
The prognosis for the older female is a bit grim if she would really like to have a partner late in life but personally I find such ladies, more often than not, set their standards a little high when seeking friendship with a view to romance.
Out of the half dozen friends I have in this position, at least five of them actively seek out handsome men of independent means who will wine and dine them in high style, provide a little romance on demand and then leave them alone to enjoy their solitude when no longer required for entertainment.
Men invariably resent such treatment, unsurprisingly, and one can hardly blame them for feeling exploited.
Another annoying behavioural trait is that when you invite a single lady to your home for dinner, she will invariably enquire whether any single men will be attending and if you respond in the affirmative some will even assume you are trying your hand at match making!
Interestingly, these ladies often complain of being neglected or used by these men when attentions begin to dwindle below the required levels. They forget all too easily that the dating game is a two way street and with the stubbornness that comes with age, refuse to compromise. Therein lies the key, of course; those who wish to find lasting companionship need to look more closely at their own reflection in the mirror before refusing to date a man with a hernia and age freckles.
The other aspect is, of course, the old prophecy about the number of fish in the sea. Men age far more gracefully than women; that is a time tested fact. Annoyingly, so many men in their late fifties begin to look quite tasty, despite having been extremely ugly most of their adult years. There is something irresistible about a haggard, lived in face – ask any Charles Bronson addict. Women, on the other hand, begin to take things more seriously when they reach fifty plus and just look as if their lives have suddenly become branded on their faces. There is no fairness about the matter, it is just a fact.
So, ladies, if you are pushing fifty and want to find someone to love you in your golden years, try lowering your expectations and raising your sense of humour!

Source:http://www.ezinearticles.com/?The-Social-Stigma-of-the-Retired-Single-Female&id=727723