This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Kelly Xiong. Find her on Instagram at @k.3lly. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Gen Z and Millennials are adopting a new kind of lifestyle. It’s called DINK — double income no kids. This has become extremely popular amongst the younger generations. More and more Gen Z and Millennials are opting out of having children. This goes for both unmarried and married couples. There are many reasons why the younger generation is choosing to be childless.
With student debt and rising prices, including housing, who can afford to take on children right now? The cost of raising a child has increased significantly since the 1980s. Back in 1987, the cost of raising a child was around $100,000. Now, that number is closer to $310,000. A new survey showed that only 55% of Gen Z and Millennials plan on having kids. One in four participants ages 18 to 34 has ruled out parenthood completely.
Many young adults are struggling just to keep themselves afloat. Inflation is at an all-time high right now and the rising costs of living keep increasing, many young couples — and singles — are choosing not to bring children into the equation before they’re financially stable.
What is the DINK lifestyle
There’s something very appealing about the DINK lifestyle. Couples living on a dual income are finding joy in living child-free. You get more time and money for yourself! Without childcare expenses, young couples can spend their money on fancy dinners, fun activities, and whatever else they please. Why? Because they can and have the means to do so. In an economy where everything is expensive now, having spare income to enjoy with your partner is something many Zillennials are attracted to.
Gen Z and Millennials are sharing their fun being DINKs online. It seems that some plan to never leave that DINK era — and who could blame them? DINK couples on TikTok are showing themselves living their best lives — from traveling the world to being dog/cat parents to spending hundreds at Costco on snacks. They do not need to worry about shopping for anyone else besides themselves and their partners.
Now, not all DINK couples are planning on staying that way forever. Some are simply pushing back their life timeline a bit. With higher education becoming more and more standardized, more individuals are choosing to focus on their careers rather than building a family right away. Some are choosing to put off having a child until they are financially stable and have the means to afford to raise them comfortably. This is a very financially smart decision. Zillennials don’t see why there needs to be a rush on building a family. They would rather build up their careers first and wait until the time is right to start the next chapter of their lives. There is no longer that societal pressure of needing to do things by a certain age — marriage, buying a house, kids, and so on.
For the pet parents out there who are also DINKs, there is also a term for that. DINKWAD/C — dual income no kids with a dog/cat. Instead of children, many Gen Z and Millennials are becoming parents to their pets. The dogs and cats of these Zillennials are getting top-tier princess treatment from their owners. Pets are like kids in many aspects, except there is way less financial burden raising a pet than a person. They are also lower maintenance. A lot of young couples see the appeal in this as they do want a cute little baby, but just not necessarily a human one. The joy and love of a cat or dog is enough to make some say, “This is what I want.”
Not everyone wants children, and that is okay. In this economy, and with everything going wrong in the world, how can you blame them?
What are your thoughts on DINKs? Are you part of the group? Let us know in the comments.
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