DINK Generation: Why Millennials are Skipping Kids

DINK is a term that stands for Dual Income, No Kids. It describes any family with multiple incomes and no financial dependents.

There are several variants of the term, such as DINKY (...No Kids Yet) and DINKWAD (... No Kids, With a Dog). But the general theme remains the same.

The term broke into the cultural conversation in the 1980s, when it was still considered a departure from "traditional" family structures.

But today, DINKs are more the rule than the exception. 60% of married-couple households now earn multiple incomes, with the number of childless families also on the rise.

While the work DINK usually comes up in a financial context, money is not the only reason couples become DINK households.

Of course, the cost of raising a child has sharply increased since the 1980s, and young families face numerous other economic struggles, but every family is unique.

For many families, raising children may not be an option. Whether for health, financial, genetic, or other reasons, the choice may be made for them.

Another major factor in families choosing not to raise kids is that they simply don't want to. More than half of childless adults cite this as their primary reason.

Shifting cultural and economic tides over the last 40 years have made it harder for many families to add new members, and empowered others to be happy as just adults.

In either case, it is essential that we all show empathy and respect for the choices and lifestyles of other families, as every household's situation is unique.

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