Episode Description
In this week's episode of Thrive Solo, my guest is the wonderful Caroline Young, author of 'Single And Psycho: How Pop Culture Created The Unstable Single Woman.'
Although single herself, Caroline is Mum to an almost-one-year old boy, whose father she co-parents and lives with.
During our conversation, Caroline explores the societal and pop culture stereotypes of single women, sharing insights from her book and her personal experiences. We discuss characters from movies such as Fatal Attraction and Bridget Jones' Diary, and other shows that depict single women as unstable, crazy, or desperate. We also talk about the pressure women face regarding marriage and children, and the resilience required to break these stereotypes.
Caroline also shares her journey of becoming a mother later in life and how this transition changed her societal visibility.
02:14 Guest Introduction: Caroline Young
05:01 Caroline's Unique Family Dynamics
06:43 Writing 'Single and Psycho'
08:48 Exploring Pop Culture Stereotypes
10:28 Relating to Pop Culture Characters
19:22 Themes and Takeaways from her book
27:51 Visibility and Perception Changes
30:35 Struggles with Invisibility
30:59 Rebecca Traister's Perspective on Marriage
31:58 American vs. UK Views on Marriage
34:14 Deciding to Try IVF Again
34:41 Advice for Women Considering Solo Motherhood
37:00 Enjoying Solo Motherhood
38:53 Celebrating Single Women's Complexity and Resilience
40:23 Backlash Against Single and Childless Women
45:01 Caroline's Online Dating Experiences
47:32 The Impact of Having a Baby on Her Thoughts Around Relationships
48:37 Final Thoughts and Book Highlights
53:24 Embracing Aging and Motherhood in Your Forties
54:58 Conclusion and Contact Information
- Pre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book
- Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions
- Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo
- Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson
- Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme
- Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share
- Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/
- Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com
And thank you so much for listening!