Singlehood, stereotypes, and my mother

I found the section on Singlehood in chapter 11 extremely interesting. My mother who is now in her 50's and recently (4 years ago) divorced shows no interest in finding another partner. I nag her about it all the time simply because I hate to see her alone and I want her to get out there and have someone to share this later half of her life with. She insists she is happy living alone for the first time EVER in her life. She jokes that if she were to find someone then she would have to remember their birthday and their name and all that and its just to much trouble for what its worth : ) Shes a funny lady! Reading this section I realized that I am part of the people it talks about having stereotyped or biased thoughts about single people. I do look at single people (whether that's people without a romantic partner or people without children) as being selfish, and less giving or kind and that is something I was not aware of. Now that I am aware of that I will do my best to change that thought in myself. I can think of many times when I felt that way towards singletons in general but it was more of a feeling rather than a defined thought. But when I stop and think about it I can think of many very giving and caring single people whom I see on a daily basis. In reading this I feel like I should maybe let up a little on my mother. She is finding herself for the first time in her life and defining herself without the input or effects of anyone else and that is something I should support wholeheartedly. Its easier said than done though because I just simply hate the thought of her in her quiet cold house, growing old alone. See there's those stereotypes again! : )