To begin with, we are witnessing a{{U}} (31) {{/U}}explosion of "solos" — people who live{{U}} (32) {{/U}}, outside a family altogether. Between 1970 and 1978, the number of persons aged fourteen{{U}} (33) {{/U}}thirty-four who lived alone nearly tripled in the United State —{{U}} (34) {{/U}}from 1.5 million to 4.3 million. Today,{{U}} (35) {{/U}}fifth of all households in the United States consists{{U}} (36) {{/U}}a living solo.{{U}} (37) {{/U}}are all these people losers or loners, forced into the solo life. Many deliberately choose it, at least for a time. Says a legislative aide to a Seattle councilwoman, "I{{U}} (38) {{/U}}consider marriage if the right person came{{U}} (39) {{/U}}, but I would not give up my career {{U}}(40) {{/U}}it."
Looking at an older slice of the population, we find a large number of formerly married people, living on their{{U}} (41) {{/U}}and, in many eases, decidedly liking it. The growth of such groups{{U}} (42) {{/U}}created a flourishing "singles" culture and a much publicized proliferation of bars, travel tours, and{{U}} (43) {{/U}}services or products de- signed for the independent individual. Simultaneously, the real estate industry has come{{U}} (44) {{/U}}with "singles only" condominia, and has begun to respond to a{{U}} (45) {{/U}}for smaller apartments and suburban homes with fewer bedrooms.
We are now experiencing a growth{{U}} (46) {{/U}}the number of people living together{{U}} (47) {{/U}}bothering about legal formalities. This group has more{{U}} (48) {{/U}}doubled in the past decade. The practice has become so common that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has overthrown tradition and{{U}} (49) {{/U}}its rules to permit such couples to occupy public housing. The courts are wrestling{{U}} (50) {{/U}}the legal and property complications that spring up when such couples "divorce".