"DINK" is an acronym that stands for "double income, no kids" or "dual income, no kids". It describes a childfree couple living together while both partners are receiving an income; because both of their wages are coming into the same household, they are free to live more comfortably 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]
Variations
"DINKER" means "dual (or double) income, no kids, early retirement".
"DINKY" means "double income, no kids yet", implying that the couple in question is childfree 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.[2]
"GINK" means "green inclinations, no kids", referring to those who choose not to have children for environmental reasons.[3]
"DINKWAD" means "Double income, no kids, with a dog[4]"
Some marketers have proposed "yappie" ("young affluent parent", adapted from "yuppie") as a term to describe similar couples who do have children.[5]
See also
- Childlessness
- Doug, a TV series on which one of the characters has the last name "Dink", in reference to the acronym
- Emerging adulthood
- FIRE movement
- Total fertility rate
- Voluntary childlessness
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ "DINKY". Radio Listings Company. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ Hymas, Lisa. "Say it loud — I'm childfree 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.