Sandwich Generation

Leslie B. Hammer & Margaret B. Neal

The “Sandwich Generation” refers to those people who are simultaneously caring for family members at both ends of the life span—children and elders. The stress associated with being in the sandwich generation can constitute a social problem. Moreover, holding a job in addition to multiple family care responsibilities is a situation that affords its own set of challenges, and it is one that employers are beginning to recognize as a significant concern. At the same time, it is important to recognize that rewards result from caring for both children and elders, and that both the children and the elders can contribute positively to the well-being of the family. Although being sandwiched between caring for children and elders (specifically aging parents) is not a “typical” situation, no official prevalence estimates exist. Although the U.S. Census details the characteristics of households, it does not include family care arrangements that occur outside of ...

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