Friday, February 26, 2010

A MINISTRY OF SINGLES?

The cause of single people is one close to my heart, for our contribution to society is rarely recognised and we do not feature on any government's list of priorities. I was therefore delighted to be able to write this article for Italy Magazine this week. Viva signor Lo Pilato!

The structure of the family is changing in Italy, albeit at a slower rate in the South. Between 1995 and 2000 the divorce rate soared by 74% and the number of separations by 57%. 200, 000 more people were living alone in Italy in 2000 than in 1995. According to Istat [the Italian Statistics Office] there were 5 million single people living in Italy in 2008, plus 2 million who were divorced, separated or widowed.

Now single people in Italy want their own ministry: this is the idea of Joe Lo Pilato, an agriturismo owner from Avellino, near Naples. Mr Pilato says that single people are discriminated against in every sector of life and especially when it comes to salaries, paying taxes and finding a home or job.

Mr Pilato has formed the “Sindacato dell’amore” or “Love Union” and it already has around 30,000 supporters in the Campania Region alone. The aim of the Union is to help all single people, whether they are alone by choice or not. Mr Lo Pilato has drafted a “Singles Charter” which he will soon present to the country’s political leaders. Among its demands are travel discounts and refuges for single mothers who find themselves in difficulty. Mr Lo Pilato also thinks that the government should help single people to meet others.

Mr Lo Pilato says that the movement had a helpline until recently but it has been closed down through lack of funding. The movement finances itself and is not linked to any political party.

The first “Singles Day” is scheduled to take place in Naples on 24th July.

8 comments:

Lee said...

I'm single and have been this way by choice since for over 20 years! I love being single. I love my own company (shared with my two furry rascals).

I never involve myself in organised "singles'" activities, but then I've never been a group or club of any description person. That's just the way I am, and I can't and don't speak for others.

Everyone's different and I know there probably is a lot of folk who think I'm a bit strange (Hey! I think I'm a bit strange), but I don't mind being eccentric! Actually, I like it! ;)

Anonymous said...

We need one of those in the |UK as well...

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Lee. I don't involve myself in organised singles activities either but I do think single people should get tax breaks and so on. I'd much rather be on my own than with "Mr Wrong". But when the going gets tough, it can be very tough on your own. Hi, Mutley. Why don't you start one?

Lee said...

Yep! I know what you mean, Pat. I've had (and am still having) lots of experience at having to be tough! I think I wrote the book! ;)

Unknown said...

Reading this I now realize that I have now been single longer than I was married: 30 years married. 34 years single. A applaud being single!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi again, Lee. I think we both wrote that book! Congratulations, Nick!

Ellee Seymour said...

I don't they are discriminated the same way in the UK. The biggest issue is having to pay more for a hotel room, or ending up in the broom cupboard.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I agree with you, Ellee.

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