Family bloggers have just recently taken control of our social media channels, offering pieces of their beautiful lives raising children and enjoying motherhood.
And while mummy bloggers remain popular, a new trend is emerging: the DINKs.
The acronym stands for dual income, no children, and a growing number of young couples are identifying as part of this society and bragging online about their affluent lifestyles.
Instead of investing their money in children, couples are reaping all the benefits of delaying or forgoing family formation.
Sunday mornings are spent in bed with brunch and couple’s workouts. They dine at upscale restaurants and purchase sweets that they do not have to share with children.
The DINK hashtag on TikTok has garnered 164 million views and thousands of comments from envious fans.
TikTok couples boast about saving time and money
Mollie, the inventor of “DINK,” told that while she and her partner do not intend to remain childless forever, they are relishing this phase of their lives.
“[Our days are] anything we want them to be, which is why we love being ‘DINKS’ so much and make the most of it.”
If we want to go out or stay away on the spur of the moment, we can, and if we want to sit home and do nothing all day, we can.
Mollie observed that many of the DINK bonuses are still attainable with children, but there is one less aspect to consider while planning.
“We like tranquil weekend brunches, lie-ins, shopping, evenings out with friends, and trips to art galleries or exhibitions, which, as we’ve discovered through family members, can be far more difficult with children,”
Both she and her partner are only 25, and they hope to create a family one day, but they also understand why some people choose not to have children.
Before making such a monumental and life-altering decision, I believe it is crucial to intentionally absorb, recognize, respect, and savor these years of ‘independence’ It’s an opportunity to express thanks for these years, to live in the now, and to recognize the aspects of our lives that will be radically altered or compromised when and if we have children in the future.
There are certain themes shared by all couples that choose this lifestyle.
One of the several producers in a DINK marriage stated, “I am child-free by choice and adore my life” I have so much time to devote to my hobbies, interests, and the children of my siblings.
“I can have a cream sofa without worrying about it getting soiled, and nothing in my home is sticky. I have plant offspring, more travel funds, and more time to devote to my husband. It is fantastic.’
She continued, ‘Double salary, no children is a terrific lifestyle that I would encourage.
There are folks like us who enjoy their lives and have no desire to procreate.
It is the latest economic and lifestyle trend to sweep the platform after a plethora of predecessors.
In addition, it reflects shifting social norms and expectations.
Millennials are marrying later in life or opting out of marriage altogether. While property ownership is also occurring later in life for most people and baby rates are down.
In the United Kingdom, raising a child to age 18 can cost up to £200,000 on average. Excluding indulgences such as holidays, presents, and hobbies.
Matt Benfield, a self-titled DINKWAD (dual income, no kids with a dog) from the US, told Business Insider that current generations just ‘don’t have the money to maintain themselves and much less a child.
They are barely able to afford rent. They can hardly pay utilities, and their food costs have skyrocketed. The DINKWAD suggests putting oneself first before assisting others.
Another creator stated, “We’ve decided to remain DINKs for the foreseeable future since we’d like to invest and spend our money on other things before having children.”
To travel more, to invest in real estate, to pursue a higher degree, to devote more time to hobbies, or simply to dine in upscale restaurants without worry are among the most prevalent reasons for remaining DINKs.
As they frequently have higher disposable incomes, DINKs are sometimes the target of marketing campaigns for luxury things such as holidays, but some say they’re using their time as DINKs to plan for the future.
One stated, “I want children in the future; this will not be our lives forever. Therefore we are saving and preparing for the future now.”
Another user wrote, “Welcome to the DINK side of TikTok, where we travel with only carry-on, go on backpacking trips, visit vineyards, sleep in on the weekends, go to the spa, and sip hot coffee while we enjoy our final years without children.”
