In the old days, no one talked about whether Aunty June or Uncle Bob may not have wanted the kind of relationship considered "normal" by the rest of us, and explanations for their single status were whispered behind hands at infrequent family functions.

But today, the choice to remain unattached is not such a social stigma, although it still raises eyebrows and generates gossip, not just among family, but also it seems among the community at large.

My baby sister is 34. She's unattached, by choice, is not gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) and quite happy to have her independence.

As the youngest in the family, she has endured the constant heckling of us - her older sister and brothers - casting aspersions on her sexual orientation, her attractiveness and her state of mind. Of course, it was all done in good faith and good fun and to her credit she has withstood the ribbing with her sense of humour still intact.

However, it seems that it's not just her family who pushes for answers as to why any woman would want to remain single.

Working in community health, my sister is constantly surrounded by women with children - some of them married, some of them not. But the one thing they all have in common is the presence of a man in their lives.

Last week, this gaggle of well-meaning women gave her the website address of a supposedly reputable online dating service.

"Just see what it's like," they encouraged. "You don't have to go out with anyone, but you can see what's out there."

My sister is a pretty socially active woman. She is not afraid to go out to a pub alone and strike up a conversation with anyone who is willing to chat.

She has had her fair share of relationships and heartbreaks, and now knows what she wants and doesn't want in a partner.