From Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, to Zac Efron, 37, many of the most eligible men in Hollywood are classed as 'mid-life bachelors'. These ageing lotharios refuse to give up the freedom, attention, and excitement of their youth. And, while they've had several relationships, they've never said 'I do'.
![[In popular culture, single women are often depicted as sad spinsters, while single men are cool bachelors. For example, in the Bridget Jones franchise, the titular character is seen as sad and lonely, while her single boss, Daniel Cleaver, is a charming womaniser]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/15/94392695-14322033-image-a-93_1737732065051.jpg)
Now, scientists have poured cold water on the mid-life bachelor stereotype. Rather than enjoying their freedom, scientists from the University of Toronto say that most single men are really unhappy - as well as sexually unfulfilled. In stark contrast, single women tend to be happy in their single status, as well as the quality of their sex lives.
'Overall, single women appear to be higher in their overall well-being compared to men,' the researchers wrote in their study, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. 'At a broader level, our findings appear to run counter to existing stereotypes regarding women as the uniquely unhappy gender in singlehood.'.
From Leonardo DiCaprio to Zac Efron, many of the most eligible men in Hollywood are classed as 'mid-life bachelors'. In popular culture, single women are often depicted as sad spinsters, while single men are cool bachelors. For example, in the Bridget Jones franchise, the titular character is seen as sad and lonely, while her single boss, Daniel Cleaver, is a charming womaniser.
In their new study, the researchers set out to understand the experiences of single men and women in the real world. The team enlisted 5,941 participants, who were surveyed on their relationship status satisfaction, life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and desire for a partner.
