Doctoral graduates are influential in reproducing or changing cultural patterns and lifestyles as a reference group for young students. Therefore, their tendency to live a single life can have consequences beyond the individual level. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of exploring the conditions for the formation of single life among doctoral graduates. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach. The constructivist grounded theory method was used to conduct the research. The sampling is purposive, theoretical, and based on snowball and maximum diversity methods. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews; ultimately, 40 participants were interviewed. Data were analyzed using grounded theory coding. After analyzing the data, 7 main categories were explored that including: weakness in governance, economic hardship, relational perfectionism, life freely, suspending the relationship and prioritizing individual goals, self-renovation in the context of single life and fear of marriage in the shadow of divorce. Finally, the core category of redefining individuality in the shadow of structural/relational crisis was explored. The findings showed that single life in this group is not simply the absence of marriage opportunities, but rather a rational-identity strategy and meaningful lifestyle that is experienced in the context of structural and relational uncertainties.