Bachelors

[Confirmed Bachelor]

I thought this paragraph in the Wikipedia article about bachelors was interesting:

Bachelors have been subject to penal laws in many countries, most notably in Ancient Sparta and Rome. At Sparta, men unmarried after a certain age were subject to various penalties (Greek: ἀτιμία, atimía): they were forbidden to watch women's gymnastics; during the winter, they were made to march naked through the agora singing a song about their dishonor; and they were not provided with the traditional respect due to the elderly. Some Athenian laws were similar. Bachelors in Rome fell under the Lex Julia of 18 bc and the Lex Papia et Poppaea of ad 9: these lay heavy fines on unmarried or childless people while providing certain privileges to those with several children. In Britain, taxes occasionally fell heavier on bachelors than other persons: examples include 6 & 7 Will. III, the 1785 Tax on Servants, and the 1798 Income Tax. Over time, some punishments developed into no more than a teasing game. In some parts of Germany, for instance, men who were still unmarried by their 30th birthday were made to sweep the stairs of the town hall until kissed by a "virgin".

 

This post has been edited by @Philbo Wiseroot to remove the white background the dark purple text so that it can be better seen when using the dark theme. Other than removing the Wikipedia in-text citations, the text has not been changed.

[Dodgypotato]

I hate how people are treated for simply not wanting a partner. Even wanting one and not getting one doesn't mean you should be punished. D:

 

At least we're not so heavily discriminated against in most countries anymore. And people say we never have been oppressed? Evidence right here.

[Philbo Wiseroot]

Similarly, the Art of Manliness blog ran a series on the History of the American Bachelor. It covers how bachelors in the US were penalised for not having partners, and how it became more acceptable over time. There's also a podcast on the topic.