It’s men who fear being left on the shelf...

SINGLE men feel far more pressure to find a partner than unattached women, according to a report.

Almost three-quarters of men in a study admitted they felt pressure to start a new relationship.

However, fewer than 60 per cent of women felt the same way.

The findings revealed that men suffer higher levels of loneliness, challenging the traditional idea of the happy-go-lucky bachelor who is more suited to single life than his female equivalent.

Almost half of singles agree that being on your own is better than being in a bad relationship, although many find not having a partner at Christmas challenging.

The findings of the investigation into modern attitudes to single life come from a new study by dating site eHarmony and relationship support charity Relate, which uncovers what life is really like for singles in the UK today.

Freedom

Researchers quizzed 4,054 1,418 of whom were single.

The findings revealed that both sexes are quick to champion the benefits of being single. These included independence, time for new hobbies, being free to do what you want on a night out and the freedom to enjoy new sexual relationships.

Yet despite these positives, single men still feel under significant pressure to find that special someone.

Both genders also admitted that being single can feel isolating.

Single men were slightly more likely than women to say feeling lonely was a negative aspect about not being in a relationship.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos, eHarmony psychologist, said: “Surprising though it may seem, it’s single men rather than women who feel under more pressure to find a partner. They also report higher levels of loneliness.

“Single women tend to be more adults,

SecretS oF getting to know each other

GOING on holiday, cooking a meal together and having an argument are among the best ways to get to know a partner, a study claims.

A poll of 2,000 people in a relationship revealed ways to reveal a partner’s “true colours”.

Going on a day trip, listening to music and meeting friends or parents can also help people get to know their loved one.

In the study, by Hasbro Gaming, two in five of those quizzed believed the best way to discover someone’s personality was to play a board game.

Monopoly was voted most likely to bring out a partner’s hidden qualities.

Commenting on the findings, Big Brother’s former resident professor Geoff Beattie said: “It can take years to get to know your other half, and even then there are certain parts they may never reveal to you.

“Still, after your first break away together, some quality time in the kitchen and a few heated games of Monopoly, you should be closer to truly understanding what makes your spouse tick.” robust on their own. They often capitalise on strong friendships, which meet many of their needs for intimacy and prevent loneliness creeping in.

“People who build strong connections with friends and loved ones can really reap the benefits of taking time out between relationships.

“Men, on the other hand, perhaps don’t necessarily share the same level of emotional connection with their friends, or even family members.

“Research suggests they also tend to miss physical intimacy slightly more than women.”