Why he will not commit
15:53 22 June 2006
Recent research shows that men are increasingly staying single longer, with the average man not settling down to married life until after the age of 30.
With so much opportunity to enjoy leisure pursuits, to travel, to change careers and have casual sex, many men see commitment as a millstone round their neck.
Check out the nine signs to look out for that tell you he won't be settling down:
His best friend is female
Non-committers view an enduring friendship with a female as proof they can have long-term relationships with women. He believes a girlfriend can't turn around and tell him he doesn't know how to relate to women when he's always hanging out with his girl-pal. This puts the onus on his girlfriend - she must be the problem since he can certainly relate to women generally.
He's reluctant to meet your family or introduce you to his
There comes a point where we naturally want to meet each other's friends and family. The non-committer will dream up every excuse under the sun as to why he doesn't want you to meet his family. He'll also back out of meeting yours.
He's had a marriage early in life that failed 
Love-rat lovers
Can you trust him to be faithfull?
This is the George Clooney phenomenon. Men who had an early taste of marriage that was unhappy often swear they'll never marry again. This can fool you. Many women think: "He's done it before so maybe he'll change his mind and do it again."
Good with women and women love him
It's incredibly aggravating the way a non-committer gets on so well with women. They tend to be incredibly popular and women fall for them easily. He says he won't settle down because he "adores women".
Uses material goods to make up for bad behaviour
When behaved badly, the non-committer will use his imagination to buy you a gift as an apology, instead of sorting out the issue properly.
Work, friends or interests come first
Ultimately, if you're involved with a non-committer, you'll come second to something else in his life, be it his career, love of mountain climbing or circle of friends.
Something secretive about him
Non-committers have an elusive quality about what they are doing with their time. Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on it, but listen to your intuition.
Undeniably good in bed
Non-committers use their great sexual chemistry as part of their self-protection policy. It keeps a woman hooked, believing that sexual passion equals passionate love.
His actions speak louder than his words
A non-committer is skilled at saying the right things but doesn't necessarily do them.