Singletons, Sisterhood and the Culture of Entitlement
In BJ, Bridget’s circle of friends plays an important role in her life and is even more present than her love interests (Mark, Daniel or Gavin). They support and help each other in difficult situations and Tom even refers to them as a kind of family (cf. BJ 231). Shazzer belongs to this urban family circle - Bridget often talks to her when she needs to rant about men and Shazzer always advises to do something (which Bridget most of the times does not follow suit). “The fact that in a world full of commitment phobics and otherwise inadequate male figures (there) is still another woman who emerges as a positive figure and offers the main character help” (Smyczynska 82) is something Bridget
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In this specific example, both Bridget and Shazzer feel uncomfortable when married couples try to label them as unhappy singles who are desperate to find a man to finally lead a happy, fulfilled life. These couples do not take into account other lifestyles that differ from their own ideal (being married), like e.g. being in a non-heterosexual relationship or being a single living a completely fulfilled, happy life on their own. Bridget and Shazzer actually celebrate being a “Singleton”, a term that has most likely been coined by either one of them. A “Singleton” obviously serves as a replacement of the word “spinster” as the latter tends to be used in a more offensive way and describes a women whose time for getting married is over once and for all. A “Singleton” on the other hand is a positive term, celebrating the “single-hood” and a lifestyle you have chosen yourself and willingly. Nevertheless, Shazzer and Bridget also tend to have strong opinions about married couples – which is not only strongly emphasized by the fact that they call them “Smug marrieds”, a rather negative connoted term, but also because Shazzer describes them as being “jealous” of their freedom and more entertaining lifestyle. She is clearly not as accepting and tolerating of