Single

(Me taken by sister Joan using my Praktica)

(The following piece has had literally hundreds of views on "Beyond Jane", a site of Triond).

I am a white English (therefore British) upper working class professional, heterosexual male. All relatively favoured categories in our society. The only thing about me that is unusual and therefore not favoured is that I am Single. But is that so bad?

As I say, I am a white English (therefore British) upper working class professional, heterosexual male. All relatively favoured categories in our society. The only thing about me that is unusual and therefore not favoured is that I am Single. I am also relatively Celibate, having a low sex-drive.

I am not Gay or a paedophile. So no drums to bang. No excuses for my inactivity. I am minded of the famous quote from John Betjeman (then 77), who’s “one regret” was that he, “ Hasn't had enough sex.”

Look, I am knocked out by the beauty of Cheryl, Tulisa, Beyonce etc. but that doesn’t mean I want to hump them. Am I unusual with this? Are there others who feel the same way? Am I low on Testosterone? Do I need to “Man Up”?

I have no regrets about being single. All that bugs me is that I have not continued my genetic line. Children as such do not appeal to me in any way. Women can be good company but marriage or a relationship as such has little to offer me. Being single suits me best.

Saying all this is very risky I suppose, but I just feel the need to “come out”. Why I have to justify myself to people, I do not know. Maybe it’s just the way I was brought up.

Most of this “confession” is taken from my “Confidential Journal”, which is unread by anyone but myself.

I read somewhere that a “nice guy” never gets the girl. The man who does do so is typically a “bar steward” who shows power, authority, confidence and so forth both in and out of bed. Duly noted.

Me? Well that insulting W word springs to word. Or even worse, that horrible masterly M word. I would rather say that myself I take care of my own pleasures.

Being Single means being free. Right now, though, my main concern is helping look after my 91 year old Mum. She is recovering after some spells in hospital. But generally I just don’t do commitment. Why should I? No, being single suits me fine. That does not make me “Sad”. I am happy with my lifestyle, whether people like it or not.

Paul Butters