Kelly, 34, Pennsylvania, USA

 

My Dad told me a story about an extended family member who in the 1800’s couldn’t find a husband and so as to not be a burden on her family, hung herself in the barn. 

 

I’m 34 and unmarried. I work for a private non-profit school and as such my work is rewarding in every way but monetarily. I work hard yet always seem to struggle as a single person with only one income. 

 

I’m the person my family calls when they’re ill or in trouble, yet I get told stories that infer I should go kill myself. It’s hard and the stigma around being in your 30s and unmarried makes things even harder. 

 

That’s the short version of a lot being asked of me and receiving little from society.