2007-01-21 03:11:56 · 19 answers · asked by Tara 4 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
A spinster is a term for a woman of marriageable age who is unmarried; thereby in England you are, effectively, a spinster at 16 which is the youngest legal age for marriage!
The term 'spinster' is sometimes used in a derogatory fashion; far more popular used to be the term "maiden aunt" to describe an unmarried female relative in her thirties.
2007-01-21 03:23:07 · answer #1 · answered by gorgeousfluffpot 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The word spinster is dying out in these modern times otherwise anyone living with a partner but not legally married could be referred to as spinster. In Victorian days it was around the age of 22 when the daughter of the house was unmarried.
2007-01-21 03:16:15 · answer #2 · answered by SYJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a line in the book "Jane Eyre" in which someone asks Jane, "You're a spinster? You're not married?" and she's 18 years old.
Personally, I think unmarried women should reclaim the word spinster. Why is it bad to be a spinster but good to be a bachelor?
2007-01-21 14:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by Katherine W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the context - in the Beverly Hillbillies it was 16.
If the term "spinster" has any use at all, it refers to a woman who has reached an age whereby her unmarried status is conspicuous and in some way alarming. The key here is "conspicuous" - it will vary from community to community and family to family - an ambitious young woman from a rural community may move to the city precisely because the expectations of marriage and family are different there.
In modern families of European origin in the UK, the age is probably late 20s-early 30s, while in other communities it may be younger.
Hope this helps
2007-01-21 03:34:41 · answer #4 · answered by lozatron 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know some 30 year old spinsters-I think its attitude more than age.
2007-01-21 03:19:27 · answer #5 · answered by boilerrat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I would be considered a spinster - if this was the 1800s
2007-01-21 08:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by True 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got married at 19. On my certificate I was labelled as 'Spinster'!!!!
2007-01-21 11:17:01 · answer #7 · answered by Kira 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with as soon as you are old enough to be married. When I got married and signed my marraige certificate it said my name and then 'spinster' underneath. My boyfriend's name had bacheolor under it.
I was 23.
2007-01-21 03:56:18 · answer #8 · answered by molly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think legally when old enough to wed, but unmarried. Both Civil and religious ceremonies can refer to the bride to be as "spinster", unless widow or divorcee would be correct
2007-01-21 03:21:27 · answer #9 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you become old enough to marry and you are not you are spinster .....horrible word summons up the image of an old frustrated aunt
2007-01-22 04:07:01 · answer #10 · answered by cherry45uk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋