'Panks' Happy to Remain Aunties Only, Sans Kids of Their Own
From the Kansas City Star:
For Jennifer Emmert, it's the best of both worlds. Emmert loves kids and spends tons of time with her six nieces and nephews, from outdoor activities to sleepovers at her place. The 30-year-old is engaged to be married, but she's perfectly happy living up to the name of one of her favorite books: "Childless and Loving It."
"I'm completely content with adoring and smothering my nieces and nephews and keeping my life the way it is," said the Minneapolis resident. "I absolutely love and adore them, and I love and adore when they go home."
Emmert and millions of other PANKs (professional aunt, no kids) are opting not to have kids, finding fulfillment in bonding with their nieces and nephews instead. Their numbers are growing: Nearly 20 percent of American women reach 40 to 44 childless, compared with 10 percent in the 1970s, said a 2008 Pew Research Center report.
Choosing not to have children doesn't mean a woman has no use for children. As aunts they can forge loving relationships with nieces and nephews - whether in the role of friend, mentor or sounding board - and strengthen ties with their siblings.
The activities that aunts share with their young relatives vary widely and evolve as the kids grow up.
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