Synopses & Reviews
"If every man and woman under 40 who is not in a happy, committed relationship reads Jillian Straus's shocking, heartbreaking, and persuasive exploration of love among the Unhooked Generation, far fewer romances will end in tears. This book will give readers the aha! of recognition they have been waiting for. Unmissable." --Naomi Wolf
Unhooked Generation is about single men and women in their 20s and 30s who are having unprecedented difficulties finding love. Based on 100 in-depth interviews, Jillian Straus examines the obstacles facing unattached women and men in an age when all the choices we have, somehow, manage to decrease our chances of finding a mate.
While cell phones, text messages, e-mail, BlackBerries, speed dating, and internet dating all conspire to create a sense that there are endless options, a culture of "consumer sex" and casual hook-ups make settling down feel like settling. And as the age of first marriage goes up, the level of expectation climbs right along with it, and we start subjecting prospective mates to "the checklist." From the collapse of courtship and the death of romance to the overriding media message that single life is sexy and married life is boring, we have a culture of mixed emotions about the very concept of marriage.
Confronted by a host of factors that other generations never considered in their search for love and commitment, the "unhooked generation" faces a potholed road to romance. Rich with compelling personal stories, and leavened with wit and sharp observation, this is a book that clarifies this confusing, compelling issue as no other book has--and in its final chapter offers concrete advice for addressing the problem.
Synopsis
A startling book full of jaw-dropping insights into the real reasons that young men and women are having a harder time than ever before committing to a relationship How many times have you or someone you care about wondered: Why am I still single? Is it me, or is it them?
Unhooked Generation answers those questions with important discoveries about the unique challenges faced by today's young men and women. It shouldn't be surprising that were still single--it's a miracle when we can make it work. Here are just a few of this generation's stumbling blocks:
- The checklist -- the secret set of requirements that men and women use to measure each prospective date. Is he tall enough/rich enough? Is she pretty enough/flexible enough? Does he/she like sports too much or not enough? Like your dog?
- The DTR -- Have you "Defined The Relationship"? Had "The Talk"? It's when you ask where the relationship is going--and it strikes fear into most hearts.
- Settling -- When is it compromise and when is it giving in--To this generation, those concepts are often synonymous.
- Consumer sex -- Sex is a powerful commodity, and this generation has separated it from commitment while ignoring the long-term consequences.
Based on interviews with one hundred men and women across the country,
Unhooked Generation offers a page-turning analysis of what is keeping this generation unhooked--and a sharp, concrete final chapter that explains how we can happily change course.
About the Author
Jillian Straus was born in 1973 and grew up in Los Angeles. She received a B.A. and an M.A. at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She began a career in television production at ABC NEWS. She then spent eight years producing programs for The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she interviewed thousands of men and women about their lives and their relationships. She is a Fellow of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, training young women in communications. She lives in New York City.