Does being Childfree/DINK have an impact on professional life?

My wife and I are both young and are focused on our careers. We have absolutely no interest in having children and are much more interested in traveling and investing our free time in personal interests.

Definitely a large plus as well is that I see a lot of threads on WSO saying how a finance salary isn't "that much" in a big city, but this is usually followed by a list of expenses a mile long regarding sending children to private schools and paying for daycare, etc. Lifestyle creep plays a large factor too, but barring those aforementioned expenses, I'm assuming a DINK couple can have a decent lifestyle while simultaneously saving.

Being DINK is really our dream, but my question is: Is there ever a point in one's career at a senior level (IB/consulting specifically) where not having kids is an issue? I've read that during client interaction at a high level, knowing that someone is a "family man" or how well they can relate to them personally is often is a factor in whether or not a potential client will choose to shop around. I realize that corporate culture will probably evolve a bit as well within the next 20 years, but what are your thoughts?

 

Please don’t have kids just for the sole purpose of impressing clients. Only have kids if you and your SO both want kids

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Back to back pathetic threads with you and Isaiah's "Don't Live With Your SO Until Marriage"

You might as well have asked "I fucking hate kids, but I know a lot of MD's and clients have kids. Should I have some of my own so I could close some deals?"

 

Just keep your life simple:

You don’t to bring other humans into this floating rock we call home? Don’t have kids.

You and your SO feel compelled to bring other humans in and accept the responsibility of their lives and have a desire to be there for them? Have kids.

There’s plenty of successful people with and without kids. And there’s plenty of people who can’t have kids due to infertility/ medical reasons. A client judges you for not having kids- would you want to work with that person anyway?

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Yeah, cause wanting to hear the opinions of people with experience within an industry I want to work in is such a "crutch" In all seriousness though, regardless of the consensus here, I wouldn't do anything different. At least I'd be aware of what I'm in for in the future.

 
Most Helpful

I don't think being a family-man helps or hurts. If you're a DINK then you can dedicate more time to work and client socializing. If you're a family-man you have a lot of distractions keeping you busy. I think it's all personal choice, and you shouldn't worry about it. And DEFINITELY stop caring about what others think. I mean, what the hell do they know anyway? You know you. They don't.

I hope more people choose not to have kids, for environmental reasons. And there's nothing worse than allowing others to pressure you into having kids if it's not what you want to do, in the depths of your soul. That said, I absolutely love my little monster and I can't imagine not being a daddy. But to each their own.

 

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