After Jeanne Johnson's husband passed away, the Boiling Spring Lakes resident wanted to start enjoying life again. She checked out some local events though Cape Fear Singles, a group on Meetup. Now, at 70, Johnson may be more active than ever. She goes out on the town five nights a week. She dances, she bowls, she plays miniature golf.
She and her friends check out new restaurants. Only a few months ago, she decided to sell her home in Brunswick County and move to Wilmington. Although the mainstream machine keeps pushing the picture of marriage, single adults are beginning to demand attention.
Newsweek recently ran an ode to singlehood called "I Don't," which pointed to more Americans staying single. And pop culture has turned its attention from and somethings looking for love to focus instead on characters who have had careers, children and divorces — shows such as "Cougar Town" and this summer's sleeper hit "Hot in Cleveland" which stars Valerie Bertinelli and Betty White.
Hollywood is just following the demographic trends. Recent surveys show that 43 percent of the population about 96 million adults is single. Here and elsewhere, a large part of that group are battling stigmas of being single at the same time of battling stigmas of age. These , and year-olds are often people who want to make the most out of life. They want to socialize, date and have fun. And they want opportunities outside of church and family.
Matthew Werner moved to the area seven years ago. He ditched the corporate life to ride his bike, spend time with his daughter and grandchild and start a photography business.
