There's another movement in the black community and no it's not about race or poverty, it's about something very basic, marital status. In this time of deadbeat dads, cuts in social programs including education, black women are finding themselves occupied with learning to survive on their own without concern as to whether or not mister right is in their futures.

It's not about unresolved issues with men or fear of commitment that motivate so many young women to seek emotional and financial security within themselves, no it's the disillusionment with the role reversal of men, now they're the ones shopping for the material and financial qualities of stability in a mate. Other reasons for the resurgence of spinsterhood is the lack of patience for the Rules (the rules we're talking about are found in the book entitled The Rules), career demands, and for some the buying into the myth there being a eligible male shortage.

Let's start with the disillusionment with men, the mate expectation has changed shoes, men are now looking for women who have the house, car, and good paying job whereas in the past it were the women guilty of such "pickiness".

"I used to date a few years ago but have since stopped. It came to a head when I noticed before a man would ask me out he had to know what I did for a living and what kind of car I drove. I thought, women did that. It turned me off seriously!" Vanessa (31) accountant, Houston

"I can remember a man asking about my financial standing and job, and I have to say it did not sit right with me!" Tonie (36) practical registered nurse, Phoenix

"When the book (The Rules) came out it was received with a applause,all it showed me was how soon we forget that stuff never worked. There's nothing new or mind altering about the book's contents so why all the fuss, it don't work anyway!" Bethany (41) secretary, Houston

Many black sisters see The Rules as a replaying of "old mind games" and offers no real intergender bonding, the type of bonding that produce strong and lasting commitments. It was those games that landed them in poor relationships in the past so rather than repeat mistakes they've made peace with themselves and found acceptance of their evolution beyond the emotional toying.

"How can a woman expect men to respect her when she's playing childish games?" Theresa (29) restaurant manager, El Paso

"I can't stand it when a man strings me along, the last man who did that to me had me thinking I deserved what I got from him, nothing but promises. I can't blame him really, because I messed with his mind so much in the beginning of the relationship." Kanesia (31) graduate student, Dallas

Black women are more likely to get higher education than their male counterparts, they're also most likely to hold white collar positions which leaves them with more money but less social time. Like so many women they're finding bar scenes degrading and a waste of time. They are opting to spend their social time more conservatively, like spending a day with "the girls"or alone in contemplation which seems more ideal.

"It's a fact, the older a woman becomes the less likely she'll be able to find a mate especially one her age". Kandy (42) emergency room nurse, Houston

"When I turned thirty I decided I wouldn't pursue men anymore. I'm not willing to share a man and I most certainly won't fight over one. Yes I believe there's a man shortage but so what I'm just fine without them!" Denise (37) graphic artist, Houston

The man shortage myth has reach it's peak in the minds of thirty-something women, with special emphasis on Black men. Jail, under-education, over-education, and death can keep these men out of reach of eligible women. The mere mentioning of a man being overly educated makes one wonder what's being implied here, can a person have too much education? No, over-educated is a reference to how drastically a man's perceptions of others change with his advancement in education. According to a professor in Minnesota men who receive advanced degrees tend to objectify and undervalue women with less education than themselves, developing what he calls "the gift attitude". Meaning, they see themselves as the old expression, "God's gift to women", women in their lives should be thankful for the attention being bestowed upon them. Many women today don't see any reasons to tolerate demeaning attitudes from men and they sure don't make exceptions based on education level so they promptly dismiss these men as undesirable.

"Women waste too much time trying to catch that great guy rather than living, and before long when they're old and beauty-less they realize time didn't wait for them. I live my life as though my very being depends on it which it does, so you're not going to catch me waiting to live only when I have somebody." Willita (30) advertising manager, Phoenix

This trend to forego marriage and in many instances romantic involvements isn't new but it's gaining in it's appeal. Feed up with the added demands of modern men who are seeking their ideal material, financial, and sexual providers. These women gladly omit the complications of committed relationships from their lives. Southern blacks have always seen spinsters as "funny girls"(in other words gay) or women unlucky at love, either way girls didn't strive to be one, until now!

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Regena English is the author of Leather Spinsters and Their Degrees of Asexuality. She is also the editor of a newsletter that tackles the emotional issues of being an unmarried woman today. Her mega ezine Leather Spinsters on the Web picks up where the newsletter leaves off, if cover topics such as singlehood, health, finances, motivation, inspiration, single parenting, and career. To subscribe to the newsletter http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leatherspinsters4/ or stop by http://leatherspinsters.com/archives.html or visit the main website at http://leatherspinsters.com . Feel free in joining in the discussions on The Leather Spinsters Discussion List at  leatherspinsters4-subscribe@yahoogroups.com