As parents, it’s natural to care about our adult children’s happiness. It can be tough when you’re trying to figure out why your 21-year-old daughter has never had a boyfriend. We want to see our children be happy and enjoy a healthy social life.
Having healthy relationships is one of the most rewarding parts of life. Try not to get over-involved in your daughter’s romantic interests, or lack thereof. There’s nothing wrong with staying single into your 20s. Some young women try dating someone and have had a bad experience or just don’t like it.
Some girls have always wanted to date but just haven’t met the right candidate yet. Others just haven’t had the desire to pursue a serious relationship and that is perfectly normal too.
Your 21-Year-Old Daughter Being Single Is Perfectly Normal
Be respectful and supportive no matter what. Don’t hurt your daughter’s feelings by pressuring her to find a boyfriend or constantly interrogating her about her love life.
When she finds the right person, you will know soon enough. She has no reason to feel like a failure because she isn’t in a relationship at 21. These important years should be focused on self-exploration, growth, and experiencing meaningful interaction with others. She has just started into adulthood, there should be no rush to have a serious boyfriend unless she’s ready for one.
Some young women have trouble expressing themselves and showing their emotions. This can make it difficult for them to react appropriately when others approach them. They may feel socially awkward and conversations get stalled before they even get a chance to get to know people.
Your daughter might be feeling lonely and hopeless about still being single. There is probably not going to be a knight in shining armor riding gallantly up to your doorstep anytime soon. Your daughter will have to find a way to cast off self-pity and think positively.
Your daughter has to learn to be responsible and take care of herself before thinking about having a boyfriend. Relationship highs and lows can feel pretty intense when you’re young. Maybe your daughter doesn’t feel comfortable giving someone else that much control over her emotions.
She needs to be confident in herself before taking the plunge. Being self-conscious and worrying about how you appear to others can be a huge barrier to forming close relationships. Eventually, your daughter will cut loose a little more, when she’s more sure of herself.
When she comes to a point of self-reliance and is better able to recognize when there’s a problem that needs work, your daughter will have better success with communication and making meaningful connections.
Your Daughter Hasn’t Met Anyone Special Yet
Many teenagers are overly motivated by physical and sexual attention. Some of them are capable of seeing beyond that primitive desire. Not everyone settles for a simple connection, they view physical attraction as a small part of the big picture that makes up love and intimacy.
Finding someone that you connect with can take time when you hold your standards higher. If guys haven’t been willing to invest the time it takes to get to know your daughter on a deeper level, that may be why she doesn’t hesitate to dismiss them. She may be lonely but she isn’t wasting her time with the wrong person either.
Your daughter may not be able to make herself available to meet the types of men she’s looking for. Maybe she’s not noticing the opportunity to engage with men that might be interested in her. Shy types are less likely to approach a woman they’re interested in.
Passively waiting for the man of her dreams to come along may not be the best approach. Joining clubs, churches, or volunteer groups could be a way for her to meet people whose goals and values align with hers. Maybe there are places she can go to look for a man to start a healthy relationship with instead of hanging around in bars and nightclubs with her girlfriends.
If she really wants a relationship, that starts with getting out and meeting new people. Sometimes all it takes is a little courage for your daughter to make some changes and take charge of her social situation.
It’s nothing to be preoccupied with and it doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with your daughter because she’s still single. The ideal relationship will come about at the right time for her. There is no reason for anyone to feel less than enough because they aren’t in a relationship. Every woman should feel beautiful and fulfilled without needing validation from a partner.
Remaining single at 21-years-old doesn’t make your daughter strange or an outcast. She may have goals and aspirations bigger than her relationship status. Her journey is still unfolding. There is no specific age that someone should be dating by.
There are lots of strong women in our demanding society that focus on career and self in a couples-obsessed world. She shouldn’t feel like an outsider for focusing on becoming successful and relevant as a woman. It’s okay to do fun things on your own and explore your interests independently. As long as she feels okay with being alone, you shouldn’t be concerning yourself with it.
Maybe Your Daughter Isn’t Ready For a Romantic Relationship
Just because a person is single, doesn’t mean their life isn’t full and happy. Many people that have experienced being in a relationship, view those that have never been in a relationship as lonely or odd. They don’t know what it’s like to have the freedom and independence of never having had a partner’s feelings to consider.
Your daughter may have life pursuits that draw her away from settling down right away. She can still lead an authentic, meaningful life as a single person. Cultural expectations can be tough to shake but some dreams don’t include boyfriends.
Your daughter shouldn’t be embarrassed that she has never had a boyfriend at 21-years-old. There are many reasons why she may be staying single. Don’t be worried and avoid criticizing her. Be a supportive sounding board rather than spewing a fountain of suggestions and advice at her.
Your daughter may be shy and introverted, opening up to the right person could take time. She might have trouble building trust in people at first. Her personality may be introverted and her activities are more home-based. She may not have enough social opportunities to meet new friends. Try to give her a break.
Final Thoughts
It’s okay for your daughter to be picky. If she isn’t attracted to anyone she has met she shouldn’t have to settle for dating a mediocre guy just to say she has a boyfriend.
She also may not like drawing attention to herself. If your daughter is always trying to blend in with the group, she will be less likely to be noticed. She may like it that way if she feels secure enough with herself to pursue what she wants. For now, she can have fun doing what she enjoys and focus on creating the best life she can for herself without distraction. Sharing that with someone else can come later.
She might have anxiety or nervousness about talking to new people. She might not know how to react when someone is trying to start up a conversation with her. She may avoid interaction when someone she likes approaches.
Your daughter could be trying to escape social pressure and embarrassment. She could be freezing up or cutting new interactions short before she gets the chance to get to know them better. The point is, there is nothing wrong with your daughter if your 21-year-old daughter never had a boyfriend. Just let her figure things out on her own!