Elyakim Kislev
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Elyakim Kislev is an sociologist and an associate professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Co-Chair of the International Singles Studies Association (ISSA). His research focuses on singlehood, social policy, and well-being. He is the author of Happy Singlehood: The Rising Acceptance and Celebration of Solo Living, University of California Press, 2019, which has been translated into eight languages, and Relationships 5.0: How AI, VR, and Robots will Reshape Our Emotional Lives, Oxford University Press, 2022, translated into five languages. Elyakim Kislev has also published a series of articles on singlehood, immigration, technology, social policy, and related topics.
Elyakim Kislev joins the Paris IAS in February 2026 for a group research stay as part of the CAT collaborative program, in collaboration with the researchers Elke Claessens, Keren Eisen, Alexandra Fisher, Donna Ward, Zhe Zang.
Research topics
Sociology; Relationships Singles; Marriage; Technology; Immigration.
Singlehood: Trends, Needs, and Social Policy
Over recent decades, the world has witnessed a notable rise in singlehood, with an increasing number of individuals opting to live without a long-term romantic partner. This global shift reflects broader social changes, including urbanization, the rise of the welfare state, advancements in women's rights, increased longevity, and the impact of technological innovations, particularly in communication and reproductive health.
Despite the growing prevalence of singlehood, current policies are still largely designed around traditional family structures, often neglecting the unique needs of single individuals.
Social policies, tax systems, and legal frameworks frequently disadvantage singles, who may face higher taxes, limited access to social security benefits, and inadequate workplace policies that fail to account for their specific caregiving needs and life choices. This lack of policy consideration exacerbates social inequalities and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges faced by single individuals.
This project aims to promote a more inclusive approach to policy development by ensuring that the voices and experiences of single individuals are considered in the policymaking process. By providing tools to assess and compare how different countries or regions address the needs of single people, the results can help to identify best practices and encourage the adoption of policies that improve the quality of life for this often-overlooked demographic.
Key publications
Elyakim Kislev. "Singlehood as an identity", European Review of Social Psychology, Volume 35, Pages 258-292, 2024
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2023.2241937
Elyakim Kislev. Relationships 5.0: How AI, VR, and robots will reshape our emotional lives, Oxford University Press, 2022
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2022.2091468
Elyakim Kislev. Happy singlehood: The rising acceptance and celebration of solo living, University of California Press, 2019
DOI : https://chooser.crossref.org/?doi=10.2307%2Fj.ctvd1c7r2
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