Are Babys Equivalent to EMIs? Thyrocare Founder's Post Questions Young Couples Take on Kids, Modern Lifestyle

Family planning in India has evolved drastically in recent decades, and today’s couples are increasingly rethinking the traditional path of having children. With growing financial pressure, career focus and urban lifestyle shifts, many are now choosing to stay child-free or have only one child. This changing mindset around modern parenthood recently got a fresh spotlight thanks to Thyrocare founder Dr Velumani, whose social media post questioning the cost of parenting struck a chord with thousands online.

His take on the rising trend of DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) households has sparked widespread debate, drawing attention to the reality behind what it means to raise a child in today’s world. The post has quickly gone viral, highlighting how terms like single-child families and child-free couples are becoming more common than ever.

'Myth: Children are expensive! Truth: Parents are too expensive!': Dr Velumani's Viral Post on X

On April 8, 2025, Dr Velumani, founder of Thyrocare, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: "Myth: Children are expensive! Truth: Parents are too expensive! In 1950s NIFK. In 1970s OIDK. In 1990s DIOK. In 2010s DINK. Where are we heading! #EMI suffocates?"

Myth: Children are expensive!
Truth: Parents are too expensive!

In 1950s NIFK
In 1970s OIDK
In 1990s DIOK
In 2010s DINK

Where are we heading !#EMI suffocates? pic.twitter.com/M1vYY7baGS

— Dr. A. Velumani.PhD. (@velumania) April 8, 2025

In his post, Dr Velumani cleverly uses acronyms to describe the generational shift in family patterns: NIFK – No Income, Four Kids (1950s), OIDK – One Income, Dual Kids (1970s), DIOK – Dual Income, One Kid (1990s), DINK – Dual Income, No Kids (2010s)

With a hint of sarcasm and a sharp social observation, the Thyrocare founder captures the changing dynamics of modern parenthood – from large families of the past to the present rise of child-free couples and shrinking single-child families. His question, “Where are we heading?” underlines the growing concern over how financial burdens, especially EMIs, are influencing family choices.

Netizens React to Dr Velumani’s Take on Modern Parenting Trends

The tweet resonated with many online, who shared their own insights and concerns in response. One user remarked, "Sir, we are going to be South Korea and Japan soon." — pointing to countries struggling with ageing populations and extremely low birth rates.

Another chimed in with a historical context: "Even in the early days of kings and kingdoms and noblemen, many would have few children and many childless. Many would have more wives in the hope of bearing an offspring. Even today, families from low income states are reproducing fabulously."

A third user analysed the affordability angle: "It's not a myth: The quality of life in 70s with OIDK was a respectable life. Now the same OIDK can’t afford a respectable quality of life even though parents are not spending unnecessarily. So they are forced to DIOK or DINK."

And one user offered a more philosophical take: "Everyone knows the problem. Who is accountable for it is the bigger question. And every generation is smarter than the previous — they adapt as per the environment given to them by the previous generation. So neither children nor parents are expensive, it is the society which is."