The New DINK

Social demographer Bernard Salt has coined the term Nettels (Not Enough Time To Enjoy Life) to describe the demographic of traditional nuclear families where both parents are working full time in well paying jobs with children under 15 who are forever shuttling between home, work and school. Nettels are basically DINKS (Double Income, No Kids Couples) who have become parents and are trying to uphold the same lifestyle they had before kids.

“The surefire way of discerning a Nettel is the fact that every evening they whip out their Blackberries and negotiate the next days activities,” says Salt. “High expectations of lifestyle drive Nettels. There is status in being busy. They need the money to keep up the pretence of a happy, successful and consumerist existence.”

Only 7% of Australian families can actually be classified as Nettels but many other families share similar traits – being time poor, having high stress levels and seeking financial stability to be able to afford everyday expenses and a mortgage but they also want to enjoy their money with travel, entertainment and gifts. However the difference is that they do not revel in being busy in the same way as Nettels and are willing to compromise on somethings to lessen the pressure, guilt and logistical complexities they face on a daily basis.

Consequently, young women who are yet to have children who see their co-workers and friends struggle are adopting a different mindset and pre-emptively entering into self employment in future preparation for motherhood, and so they have enough time for regular holidays, hobbies and quality time with family. This is often motivated by working in companies where there is little understanding from bosses and childless colleagues for their working parent counterparts.

Media Source: SMH