Puppies vs Kids
- Murali Thondebhavi
- Nov 9, 2023
- 2 min read
There's a new trend in town, folks, and they've coined it DINK-OD. It all began as DINK, a snappy acronym for Double Income, No Kids, but as the journey unfolded, they decided to throw in the OD for the company (pun fully intended). Now, for those who might be late to the party (like me), let me break it down for you: DINK-OD stands for Double Income, No Kids - Only Dog.
You see, the landscape of modern living has undergone quite a transformation. With marriages being pushed back due to the siren call of career commitments and the subsequent postponement of parenthood, we're witnessing a definitive shift in the fertility rate (that's the number of live births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 45 years). And this shift isn't confined to the realm of developed nations; even the developing world is taking notes.
In this blog, we're going to dive into the depths of this intriguing phenomenon, with a spotlight on two articles that demand our attention.
The first article talks about the passage of time and how our lives are limited. It mentions the death of the world's oldest person, who was born in the 19th century, to show how time passes quickly. The author reflects on their own life and the choices they made, like waiting to have children. They discuss how our society encourages people to wait until they feel "ready" to have children but argue that waiting subtracts the time that could be spent with their kids. The article emphasises the importance of realising that time is limited and that our choices affect the time we have with our loved ones. It highlights the inevitability of ageing and how quickly children grow up, urging readers to consider these factors when making life decisions.
The second article delves into a global phenomenon of rapidly declining birth rates that are challenging societies worldwide. It explores how even strict religious beliefs and cultural norms can't prevent this demographic shift. The implications of this trend go far beyond just having fewer children—it impacts economies, infrastructure, and social dynamics. The article questions whether advanced technology or artificial intelligence can fully address the challenges brought by a shrinking population. Ultimately, it stresses the need for cultures that value larger families while respecting individual choice and diversity to address this complex issue.
Let me know your thoughts on this topic.
It is a extremely thought provoking article. We only seem to be worried about population explosion, but the shrinking younger generation could be a cause of worry. We all seems to be in a rat race to achieve more success, fame and money. Family life and values are bound to be affected.
It’s not a bad thing in some countries like India. We should have fewer kids just out of respect for the earth And it’s limited resources. I feel that a declining population is good for the earth and it’s climate. Although the actual reasons people have may be shallow , perhaps it’s a natural consequence of the times we live in.
Here’s my personal take on this; Could the reason for not having kids be psychological wherein individuals don’t want the sheer pressure of bringing them up with morals, values, who are socially acceptable and successful, whilst the process of which the kids are not belittled or caused any mental trauma they have to carry for the rest of their lives, which would honestly make them resent you. Those traumas not only affect them as individuals but also the people who live and care for them. And that’s passed on through generations!
Another perspective could be, DINK-OD is a casual way of saying “I don’t want kids because I don’t want to pass on my insecurities and irrational fears to my…
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