DINKY

The acronym DINK (English, abbreviation of double ( or dual) income no kids, dt childless double income ) refers to ( married) couples ( in their thirties ), who remain childless and have two incomes: the so-called dual-career couples. Since both domestic partners may be working full time, they have a relatively high income; they are thus a popular target group for advertising. The term comes from the marketing and serves the segmentation of customer groups. Dinks - as yuppies - mostly attributable to the upper middle class.

In Germany, the term is often used pejoratively, but shows actual changes in the demographic behavior of western societies: By changing the values ​​of life models without their own children from the individual point of view more attractive: The pension is independent of own children, career-oriented women are socially accepted.

The economic situation of Dink pairs appear towards families with children significantly more attractive for the livelihood of Dinks are for two people two labor income available to families with children have partially for three or more people only earned income. According to Dink's work two full and independent pensions; breadwinners of a family can only generate a full pension. Despite government of so-called transfer payments to families such as child benefit, the calculation of the child -rearing periods in calculating pensions, tax breaks through allowances and income splitting among others living in the DINK situation is often more attractive than the formation of a family felt that social models change. A result, the efforts Dinks more involved in the financing of the social system are increasing.

However, there are also "involuntary " Dink, whose numbers in recent years, partly due to psychological causes ( eg stress ), or pollution, increases. This tendency was reinforced by the 2004 health care reform, since the assumption of costs of artificial insemination was significantly reduced. Various studies have concluded that between 10 and 20% of couples are not voluntarily childless in Germany. In order for the involuntary Dinks are numerically better represented than voluntary. The social pressure is particularly strongly felt by these couples, because the subliminal accusation of selfishness in addition their own childlessness is perceived as a flaw.