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Keren Eisen

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (CAT program)
Singlehood: Trends, Needs, and Social Policy
09 February 2026 - 20 February 2026
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Keren Eisen is a PhD candidate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a PMO at Mobileye Global Inc. She is currently researching the challenges and special needs of single women in Mexico, as a patriarchal and familial society, which builds on her M.A. thesis on women in late singlehood in Israel.

Keren Eisen joins the Paris IAS in February 2026 for a group research stay as part of the CAT collaborative program, with the lead of Elyakim Kislev and in collaboration with the researchers Elke Claessens, Alexandra Fisher, Donna Ward and Zhe Zang.

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Research topics 

Policy solutions; Gender and Singlehood; Loneliness; Family culture and structure in familial societies.

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

Eisen, K. & Kislev E., "Between Burden and Resilience: A Suggested Typology of Late Singlehood Social Experiences of Israeli Women in a Coupledom-Promoting Society".

Eisen, K. & Kislev, E., "Gender and the Framing of Choice in Singlehood".

35427
2025-2026