E. Lec. (22) : Intrduction to Singles Studies

  Report

The Department of English of IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur organized it’s 22nd Enrichment Lecture on 16th November, 2021 on the topic: “Introduction to Singles Studies”. Dr. Ketaki Chowkhani was heartedly welcomed by Dr. Rimika Singhvi to present an enlightening talk on the topic and about her research on the same.

Beginning with her lecture, Dr. Ketaki elucidated the importance of understanding the meaning of singlehood, eventually addressing the problematic notions that revolve around the taboo topic, and the various sub-categories related to it. Dr. Ketaki believes that singlism not only defines the negative stereotyping and discrimination against single adults but defines it at a socio-cultural level, thus unmasking the “over-the-top glorification of marriage.” She also talked about the different reasonsand different consequences of singlehood, and the gender differences in the act. 

Carrying on with the lecture, Dr Ketaki briefed the audience about her research on the topic, describing how singlehood is not completely unconnected tocoupledom and marriage, but instead is a relational category of it. It questions the compulsoriness and the ultimate social value of couple culture. Her research exposes the stereotypes about the emotional health that revolve around single men and women.As the lecture came towards an end, Dr. Ketaki answered the questions of the audience and accepted the messages of gratitude by students and faculty members. “Very little research has been done on this topic,” she said, conveying her expectations that further proper research may be attempted on this important subject in the fields of not only cultural and women’s studies but literature too.