Myths About Childfree Adults Debunked

"If you're a DINK or SINK, you might have noticed there are many myths about your lifestyle choices. A DINK is a Dual Income No Kid household, and a SINK is a Single Income No Kid household. The mainstream think having children is positive. This means many view childfree by choice individuals as suspicious. This is especially true for women."

"These myths are also known as prejudice. Prejudice is a set of preconceived beliefs about a group of people that are not based on reality. Many of the prejudices associated with DINKs have their roots in patriarchal ideology. Patriarchal thought says men are in power over women and children. Children are good because they can learn this ideology, keeping men in control for years to come."

Many people choose DINK (Dual Income No Kid) or SINK (Single Income No Kid) lifestyles. Mainstream cultural norms favor childbearing, producing suspicion toward childfree individuals, especially women. These suspicions function as prejudice—preconceived, unsupported beliefs—and often stem from patriarchal ideology that privileges male authority and values children as transmitters of that order. Stigma arises when majority prejudices attach unwanted, painful labels to people; sexist childfree prejudice disproportionately targets women. Public figures have expressed degrading remarks about childless people. Dispelling common myths about childfree choices can reduce stigma and protect individual autonomy and dignity.

Read at Psychology Today