When talking of talking about the childfree, the acronym "DINK" is typically some of it. DINKs are "dual income no youngsters" couples. The term first started to be used about 10 years back. There was one myth about DINKs then that still remains todayâ€"that DINKs have plenty of disposable cash.
They must, right? Sure, they don?t have to spend all the money it takes to raise children. But just because they don?t have children doesn't mean they have fat bank balances lots of adult toys, and the cash for expensive travel. Quite the opposite. The reality is the childfree are across the socioeconomic range.
The socioeconomic status of DINKs seems fall into an ordinary distribution?a small % are on the higher end and fit the myth of the DINK. They are in the higher socioeconomic echelons. At the other end, there's a little percentage that fall on the lower socioeconomic end. Similar to the childfree in general, many childfree on this end of the spectrum take the kid call very seriously. Those on the bottom of the socioeconomic continuum can come to the decision they're not going to have youngsters because they can't justify the price or are unhappy to do what it would most likely take to afford them, e.g, get a second job and not spend sufficient time with their youngsters as a consequence.
The majority fall somewhere on the rest of the ordinary distribution continuum?in that large category called the middle class, from upper middle to lower, and everything between. They come from all kinds of life and are in spread of professions.
Nevertheless sites like thedinklife.com and nochildrenbychoice.com paint the picture of DINKs as only those who are on the higher end, those who can afford the boats and the colorful travel. As smashing as this might look, this just does not represent the great majority of those who do not have children by choice. Even ?dual revenue? Is often not accurate. Occasionally one partner doesn't work outside of the home, and lots of other times especially these days, one partner is not earning income right now?they are looking out for a job.
So when you see the term DINK, remember it's not associated with the word ?childfree. ? DINKs are one slice of the childfree population, not the entire pie!
They must, right? Sure, they don?t have to spend all the money it takes to raise children. But just because they don?t have children doesn't mean they have fat bank balances lots of adult toys, and the cash for expensive travel. Quite the opposite. The reality is the childfree are across the socioeconomic range.
The socioeconomic status of DINKs seems fall into an ordinary distribution?a small % are on the higher end and fit the myth of the DINK. They are in the higher socioeconomic echelons. At the other end, there's a little percentage that fall on the lower socioeconomic end. Similar to the childfree in general, many childfree on this end of the spectrum take the kid call very seriously. Those on the bottom of the socioeconomic continuum can come to the decision they're not going to have youngsters because they can't justify the price or are unhappy to do what it would most likely take to afford them, e.g, get a second job and not spend sufficient time with their youngsters as a consequence.
The majority fall somewhere on the rest of the ordinary distribution continuum?in that large category called the middle class, from upper middle to lower, and everything between. They come from all kinds of life and are in spread of professions.
Nevertheless sites like thedinklife.com and nochildrenbychoice.com paint the picture of DINKs as only those who are on the higher end, those who can afford the boats and the colorful travel. As smashing as this might look, this just does not represent the great majority of those who do not have children by choice. Even ?dual revenue? Is often not accurate. Occasionally one partner doesn't work outside of the home, and lots of other times especially these days, one partner is not earning income right now?they are looking out for a job.
So when you see the term DINK, remember it's not associated with the word ?childfree. ? DINKs are one slice of the childfree population, not the entire pie!
About the Author:
Laura Carroll is the writer of Families of Two, is a leading name on the childfree choice, and debates this subject and plenty more at her top childfree blog, La Vie Childfree.
