"DINK" is an acronym that stands for "double income, no kids" or "dual income, no kids", referring to couples who are voluntarily childless. It describes a couple without children living together while both partners are receiving an income; because both of their wages are coming into the same household, they are able to live more comfortable economically than couples who live together and spend their money on raising their children. The term was coined at the height of yuppie culture in the 1980s. The Great Recession solidified this social trend, as more couples waited longer to have children or chose not to have children at all.[1]
Tax disadvantages
editIn the United States, DINKs don't receive many tax benefits such as the child tax credit.[2]
Variations
edit"DINKY" means "double income, no kids yet", implying that the couple in question is childless only temporarily and intends to have children later, rather than eschewing having children entirely. The British radio sitcom Double Income, No Kids Yet bore this name.[3]
"GINK" means "green inclinations, no kids", referring to those who choose not to have children for environmental reasons.[4]
"DINKWAD" means "Double income, no kids, with a dog"[5]
Some marketers have proposed "yappie" ("young affluent parent", adapted from "yuppie") as a term to describe similar couples who do have children.[6]
See also
editWhat is a D.I.N.K (DINK)2024?
- Doug, a TV series featuring recurring characters Bud and Tippi Dink, their surname being a reference to the acronym
- Emerging adulthood
- FIRE movement
- Total fertility rate
- Childlessness
References
edit- ^ Wouter van Gils/Gerbert Kraaykamp, The Emergence of Dual-Earner Couples. A Longitudinal Study of the Netherlands, International Sociology, Jg. 23, 2008, p. 345–366.
- ^ "Essential Retirement Advice for DINKs (Dual Income No Kids)".
- ^ "DINKY". Radio Listings Company. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ Hymas, Lisa (31 March 2010). "Say it loud — I'm childless and I'm proud". Grist. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "DINKWAD", The Free Dictionary, retrieved 2020-06-16
- ^ "The Chartered Institute of Marketing". Cim.co.uk. 2011-11-17. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
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