A thought-provoking commentary by a woman named Apoorva Govind has gone viral across various social media platforms, igniting widespread discussion on the growing trend of prolonged singlehood among women in their 30s, particularly in the context of evolving modern dating expectations.
Her insights were sparked by a Wall Street Journal article titled "American women have never been this resigned to staying single," which examined the widening gaps in education, ambition, and earning power between men and women and how these factors are reshaping romantic dynamics in the modern world.
Responding to the article on X (formerly known as Twitter), Apoorva Govind shared a now-viral thread that quickly amassed over 10 million impressions. In her thread, she boldly stated that many women in their 30s remain single because they’re “hunting unicorns” — idealized, often unattainable men who meet an ever-expanding list of criteria.
“Ok, f*** it, I’ll spill — All my friends still single in their 30s? They’re hunting unicorns. Somewhere along the way, a man stopped being just a man. Now he’s supposed to be your therapist, best friend, passionate lover, future father of the year, financial provider & probably a mind reader too. All wrapped up in one devastatingly handsome package,” she wrote.
Govind continued by highlighting how media portrayals and romantic ideals have shaped unrealistic expectations about relationships, leading women to hold out for perfection rather than embracing reality. She argued that this pursuit of the “perfect man” often results in emotional burnout and disillusionment.
She also took aim at dating apps, explaining how the overwhelming number of matches can distort perceptions and inflate expectations. She pointed out that the “casual fling marketplace” and the “commitment marketplace” operate on entirely different principles — urging women to treat the search for a serious relationship like a zero-sum game: “Your goal is to win and get out of the pool as quickly as possible or you’re in for a lot of drama,” she warned.
Offering practical advice, Govind encouraged women to re-evaluate their dating checklists. Rather than focusing on superficial attributes such as height, wealth, or physical attractiveness, she suggested prioritizing compatibility in values, financial alignment, and shared long-term goals.
She concluded her thread with a business analogy: “Be like VCs betting on their future potential instead of venture debt providers who look at your current P&L.”
Ok fuck it, I’ll spill — All my friends still single in their 30s? They’re hunting unicorns. Somewhere along the way, a man stopped being just a man. Now he’s supposed to be your therapist, best friend, passionate lover, future father of the year, financial provider & probably a… https://t.co/Os9CNyI3nL
— Apoorva Govind (@Appyg99) June 23, 2025
Her post has ignited a lively conversation, with many praising her boldness and candor, while others critiqued the perceived generalizations. Nonetheless, Apoorva Govind’s take has clearly struck a nerve, resonating with countless individuals and adding fresh perspective to the ongoing discourse about gender roles, emotional labor, and the rising phenomenon of romantic independence in modern dating culture.