ssional women who have remained single, it has become the view of choice. As women's views have evolved, the married woman has taken on the role of one lacking sufficient autonomy and as the quest for female autonomy increases, many have shunned marriage and family both (Berend, 2000, p. 935).
Alternatively, Berend reports that this view of the spinster is taken out of context, and in fact the young middle-class women continues to ponder issues of love and marriage and still looks to them through an idealistic stance. In fact, adherence to such ideals may have been what has led to increased spinsterhood. The reality of marriage, is imperfect and transitory which is not in keeping with the ideal. This author points out that in fact, the nineteenth century has brought with it the elevation and spiritualization of both love and marriage and this has served to set marriage on an even higher pedestal. In addition to these beliefs, although marriage and motherhood remained a goal of wo
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