The Best

The Worst

About the Judges

Despite advance press releases from the Census Bureau and the Council on Contemporary Families, media coverage for National Unmarried and Single Americans Week was disappointingly thin. Here's the best and worst of the few articles we could find.

(See the 2008 award winners here.)

The Best! 

Excellent article - covers broad range of singles' issues.  Favorite quote, "I think where we are moving is to see marriage as one option among several." --Tom Giesler.  A little scattered because it covered so many topics, but well-written. 

Forward Kansas' The Mad Voter
Excellent.  It was able to state so many reasons why people don't marry, and to negotiate multiple issues in a few words that nail the issue squarely on the head.

Honorable Mention

The blogs did a much better job than the mainstream media, bringing much-needed attention to singles this week. Although Huffington Post's Bella DePaulo and Page Gardner are professional advocates for singles, the judges note that their pieces go a step further, encompassing a fuller range of singles’ experiences. "Of all American adults who live in poverty," Gardner reminds us, "unmarried women count for almost half."  DePaulo is a master at making issues understandable. 

PR Newswire's widely reprinted press release

This is basically an advertisement for Zoosk.  It briefly quotes a survey of singles it conducted on its site, but about how singles want to be coupled.  Not impressive.

About the Judges

AtMP invited members from around the nation to review a range of online articles referencing Unmarried and Single Americans Week. Once again, Twanna A. Hines of New York City and Janelle Brazington of Topeka, Kansas (not the Mad Voter!) were up to the challenge.  Thank you, Twanna and Janelle!  

Want to be a volunteer judge next year? Click here to send us a note.