I like Jane Fonda's address. I can relate.
As there are many people, there are many perspectives and opinions.
The responses have all be interesting.
It just goes to prove you don't have to be tough to be strong.

Oh, Jon, keep dreaming mate. What would you do if they did?

I am a strong, 'happily married' woman. I am happy for my husband to do mechanical things but I am quiet sure if I put my mind to it I too could carry out any of these tasks. That said I am old fashioed in that I like it when a man holds open a door for me and all that stuff.

I got a reality check two years ago when hubby was diagnosed with cancer and had to come to terms with the fact that he might die! The thought of being on my own terrified me, more because he would not be there with me than actually being by myself.

Anyway I digress..... what I wanted to say is, while I admire single women for going out there, I also admire single men for doing the same. Many of them have the exact same fears as us women, can I do this on my own?, will I be lonely? will I be safe? etc etc. I understand that it is more 'common' for men but more and more women are doing it alone these days and I think people are getting used to it. I personally don't find it strange to see a woman on her own and am quiet happy to chat and invite her over to join us.

So - to everyone, male or female, who is in this world on their own and getting on with life...........well done.

It's certainly better to do it alone than to do it with the wrong one.
I've met blokes going through life alone. Some of the divorced ones are still a bit bitter and angry over the "missus" or the "b!tch", which doesn't make for too much positive in the immediate future.
I've also met blokes who have lost their wives through illness and death. They seem to flail around like a bird with a broken wing.
We are all built differently. We all have different personalities and characteristics.
It's how we confront what life hands out to us which divides the doers and the spectators.
So just get out there and do it.

Chris

what a fantastic post and thanks so much for starting a very important didscussion. There is so much in here it's hard to know where to start. And Beth you sure are one of those gutsy tuff strong members of our ranks - don't you ever doubt it after all your experiences and life battles. We are all proud to know you.I know of talented senior women public servants who had to hide their marriages because of instant dismissal on the basis of marriage. I had an aunt who was widdowed and had to relinquish her homeloan until her father stepped in and took it over for her. In the early 80's I could not get a mortgage despite having 50% deposit because I was single - had to get a male guarantor. In the 70's I played competition 8Ball and was allowed in the front barof pubs for that but banned at all other times. I was involved in setting up some of the first women's shelters and safe houses in the country. Discrimination was insidious and pervasive and men copped it as well in various forms as described by some of the guys on here. But yeah as women we do tend to get the same old questions about how challenging it is to go solo nomading as women and sometimes thats ok and sometimes its not. When there is an implication that somehow we are not up to the task then it gets rather tedious but when there is a recognition of some of the particular obstacles we are confronted with then maybe that's ok to an extent. All I can say is I'm proud to be amongst the ranks of people I admire and will do my best to contribute to the ethos of supportive and companionable nomading. It's a great community out there and I'm proud to be part of it.

Well said Elle.
Rosie

There are many who have made a sacrifice of one type or another in their lives.
My biggest wish is to see a glint of pride in the eyes of my children.
They don't have to brag about me, congratulate me or worship me, but a little show of pride would be good.

Life's like that. Once bog after another. We just get through one, and bugger me, there's another one which is unavoidable.
As long as we keep getting through the bogs of life we'll be ok.

CG,

Regardless of what children do, it is plain to even a new arrival like me that you are valued on here.

A delightful Irish friend has the habit of asking "And how are you feeling in yourself then?" First I used to smile at that until I realised she was actually interested to know. It is I believe a question we could all put to good use and often. Our contacts are so often more superficial and governed by ritual than anything else. Maybe that is Australia and generations of children know no better.

Thanks for that observation JohnQ. I appreciate it.
Believe it or not I get a little kick out of the "How ya goin'?" each morning on the way to or from the amenities.
I usually initiate it, but am pleased when I get a response. I'm even more "tickled pinker" when someone else initiates it.
To have someone genuinely interested in how we're feeling in ourself is a good feeling.

Here Here CG.......one of the great things about this lifestyle are the people you meet on the way to amenities or doing the washing, don't run into to many people sitting at home going there.

We've solved many of the problems of the world in the doorway to the dunny.
It starts with a simple "hi", or simultaneously opening the door in or out with someone else, and this it starts.
Others come and go, walk past or join in.
Great forum in itself, the dunny doorway.