Between the couple and living alone

The trends of living alone and of formation and dissolution of couple relationships are not independent and their mutual influences need to be unpacked. Idealisation of couple relationships and gendered negative stereotyping of living alone persist even in countries where the trend of living alone at all ages is well developed, albeit that the belittling of women is much softer than the open hostility to independent women in some parts of the world. This chapter focuses on issues between the couple and living alone in the stages of young adulthood to midlife. It shows how routes into and experiences of living alone modify the pace and processes of becoming a couple and expectations of being a couple. Living alone slows down the process of becoming a co-resident couple when both parties live alone, but it may also result in a more considered exploration of fairness and equality in couple relationships. More honest dialogue ‘between the couple and living alone’ is in support of gender equality.