Are You One of the “Sandwich Generation”? How Do You Face Its Psychological and Economic Challenges?

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Are you one of those who balance raising their children and caring for their parents at the same time? If so, you are part of what sociologists call the “Sandwich Generation.”

The term “Sandwich Generation” refers to individuals aged between 35 and 54, a classification based on responsibilities rather than birth years.

Members of this generation are so named because they are “sandwiched” between caring for their growing children and supporting their aging parents, whether financially, physically, or emotionally.

Changing Generations, Constant Challenges:

Dorothy Miller, a pioneering sociologist in gerontology, was the first to use the term “Sandwich Generation.” She introduced it in a research paper presented at the 1980 Annual Meeting of the American Gerontological Society, highlighting the financial responsibilities and emotional stress of being caught between caring for multiple generations. The paper was later published in the journal Social Work in 1981.

At that time, the Baby Boomer generation—those born between 1946 and 1964—made up most of the Sandwich Generation. Today, this group includes Millennials. While the demographic composition of the Sandwich Generation changes over time, the core challenges remain the same.

Women Represent the Largest Segment:

The BBC reports that Athena Vlachantoni, a gerontology specialist at the University of Southampton, states that the number of people responsible for caring for multiple generations is on the rise. This is due to delaying the decision to have children in order to achieve financial stability first and the increase in life expectancy second. The result is a situation where both children and aging parents require care simultaneously.

According to Vlachantoni, the majority of the “sandwich generation” are women because they are more inclined to provide care for their older relatives and do not skimp on all forms of support, while most men’s roles are usually limited to financial support.

While the “sandwich generation” suffers from pressures in all directions, burdens, and multiple responsibilities, there are some positive aspects. “Healthy grandparents help the women they care for stay in the labor market and rise significantly in their careers,” according to research that has monitored the role of grandparents over the past two decades.

Stress and financial burdens:

Women are the hardest hit in the “sandwich generation,” feeling more stressed and frustrated than any other age group, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2007 Stress Report. The report also revealed that more women than men in the same age group reported more stress in this age group than men in the same age group.

Psychologist and Executive Director of Professional Practice at the American Psychological Association, Catherine Nordahl, believes that the “sandwich generation” suffering and feeling anxious and stressed is normal and not unusual, but mothers often put the needs of their families first and neglect or ignore their own needs.

Nordahl explains that taking care of parents’ health, children’s well-being, saving money for college, or saving for retirement all contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress.

A host of challenges:

The “sandwich generation” is haunted by a host of challenges, most notably:

Feelings of guilt and fear of falling short, as if they are not doing enough to help.

Exhaustion and a sense of isolation because there is not enough time for most social obligations.

Difficulties at work and the inability to reconcile emergency circumstances with professional obligations, such as the hospitalization of a parent, especially with the lack of flexibility at work.

Economic pressures, due to having to provide for their children and support their parents’ medical, living, and home care needs, prevent them from reaching an adequate level of well-being. According to the Pew Research Center, about 21% of middle-aged adults are tasked with providing financial support to a parent.

The risk of mental health issues is that a family member may be a struggling teenager, a young person facing stagnation and financial independence, or an elderly person feeling hopeless or suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and the entire burden falls on the shoulders of the sandwich generation, and if they do not succeed in dealing with things, they become vulnerable to depression and burnout.

Stress Management Tips:

Identify sources and causes of stress: Identify situations that trigger feelings of stress and whether they are related to children, family health, financial decisions, or work and social relationships.

Find ways to manage and relieve stress by assessing the behaviors you use to cope with the stress of juggling childcare with one or both parents.

Stop trying to do everything: Prioritize and delegate responsibilities; other family members or friends may be able to do some of the tasks to ease your burden and give you a break.

Set daily goals and tasks: Writing lists of daily tasks and crossing off a task when it’s completed can promote a sense of accomplishment, and some mobile apps can be useful for writing down tasks.

Find healthy ways to manage stress and reduce pressure: Take a short walk or exercise, and reach out to friends and family in an effort to feel safe, understood, and heard.

Take care of yourself and promote a healthy lifestyle: eat a healthy diet, drink enough water, get enough sleep, and engage in an enjoyable activity every day, such as practicing relaxation, so you have the mental and physical energy to take care of your children and parents.

Consult a psychologist: This can help you process the emotions behind your fears, manage stress better, and change your unhealthy behaviors in dealing with your stress.