Melanie Notkin is a Canadian-American author known for coining the term “professional aunt, no kids” (PANKs),[1][2] and founding the website SavvyAuntie.
[3] Her initial interest in defining PANKs for marketing purposes evolved toward a means of social connection and self-affirmation, countering stereotypes like 'cold career woman' or 'irresponsible party girl' with the empowering recognition of an important maternal role.
[4] Notkin founded a website for childless women who seek goods and experiences to share with the children of their siblings or friends.
[9] Notkin's use of the term 'other' was criticized by linguist Robin Lakoff as a misuse of irony for readers with 'irony deficiency anemia'.
[10] Notkin argued that her book put 'otherhood' in a positive light by freeing single childless women from allowing others to define them.