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Myth #1. All unmarried women are desperate to find a partner

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While this foundation found that mature women over 45 wouldn't mind getting involved with a loving, caring partner, preferably one who is well off and emotionally stable, 1 in 10 mature women claimed to have no desire to date at all. Another 14% said they would date Mr. Right if he came knocking, but weren't losing any sleep to search for him themselves.

Myth #2. Single women are lonely

Let's face it: everyone is lonely sometimes. And while more unmarried women reported feeling lonely than married women, 93% of single women said that their independence was important to their quality of life.

Myth #3. Older unmarried women have no idea about money and investing

Surveys show that married and single women alike are less likely to take risks and less knowledgeable about investing than men. However, women investors are more likely to ask for professional advice on money matters. The effect of this, as seen in a Merrill Lynch study, is that women are less likely than men to make investing mistakes (such as holding a losing stock too long or failing to research the tax implications of an investment) and tended to repeat their mistakes less, which puts them ahead of their male counterparts in this regard.

Myth #4. Single women baby boomers have made it financially in their careers

In reality, many mature women, especially those under 60, have subjected themselves to dangerously high levels of debt. In what is being called the 'Sex and the City syndrome', many high-earning single women are living from paycheck to paycheck, as they spend lavishly on trips, clothes and shoes. This lapse in long-term planning is highlighted by a leading seniors foundation women's study, which found that around 60% of women over 45 have no idea of how much money they will need in retirement and 68% have no spending plan for future years.

Myth #5. Single women just slow down and get more cats when they retire

On the contrary, as many as 63% of surveyed women living alone see their older years as an opportunity to live their dreams and do things they always wanted to. Single, mature women are realizing that it is up to them to create a meaningful life, and are taking more control of their situation and making the most of their later years.

Myth #6. Older unmarried women don't bother with their looks

In fact, single women are very much aware that appearances matter in the world we live in. While most mature women don't go to extremes to look younger than they are, quite a few 65+ ladies are actually heading to the plastic surgeon's clinic for a quick face-lift or nip and tuck. Surprisingly, it's not always about attracting men - many single women just want to be happy with the way they look!

Myth #7. What unmarried women fear most is ending up old, sick and alone

Growing old alone is likely for all women, whether married or single, but according to a leading seniors foundation study, 81% of single women aren't worried about this. In actual fact, the fear of losing their independence in a health crisis and becoming dependent on caregivers is a more widespread worry that's on the minds of 41% of single women.

Myth #8. Single women regret the lack of family ties as they get older

Just because they are not married, does not mean that single older women have no family life. Many single women maintain very close ties with brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and even their parents, and a lot of them have strong support systems of friends that they can rely on in times of need.

Myth #9. Single women are sex-starved

This is probably the greatest misconception about single, mature women. In reality, these women have all kinds of ways of dealing with sex or lack of it. While just 22% of 45-plus mature single women reported being active in the previous six months, and only 18% had a regular sex partner, this age is a no-holds-barred period for many women - a time to be more adventurous and easygoing. At the same time, many older single women find that after menopause, sex continues to be fun, but stops being such a big deal any more.

Myth #10. Single women are less healthy than married women

While this has been generally true in the past, single mature women today are taking more control of their health. As many as 46% of single women in the foundation survey reported that they feel in excellent or very good health, and 90% said they were somewhat confident that they were doing all they can do keep healthy.

Just like other walks of life, being a single woman has its ups and downs. However single women are much more comfortable with their situation than they have been traditionally and many women are embracing the challenges and opportunities that go hand in hand with living alone and enjoying a new-found independence.

Garrett Williams writes about online dating and has a web site which features reviews of international dating companies as well as domestic online dating sites such as Senior Freindfinder which targets mature men and women looking for other senior singles.

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