Sandwich generation is the middle aged generation that has to support an aging parent and their own children at the same time. This word was first mentioned by Dorothy Miller, sociologist in 1981 (Dictionary of Art Historians).
Contents
Characteristics
The result from a survey performed by CQC shows how much sandwich generation is under stress due to supporting their parents. Respondents report that supporting parents is more stressful than divorcing. 84% of Sandwich Generation answered that deciding how to support elderly parents is extremely stressful, while only 32% answered divorcing is the most stressful event (Charles 2).
A member of the Sandwich Generation is usually 40 to 60 years, however, the number of people in the Sandwich Generation is increasing. As the large portion of our society is aging and birthrate decreases, the middle aged generation will cover all of the responsibilities. Until those problems are resolved, the Sandwich Generation will keep suffering the heavy burden (Charles 5).
Why is supporting parents so stressful? Sandwich Generation respondents said that deciding whether to take care of elderly parents in their own home or to send them to the elderly residential facilities is stressful. They also said that the additional cost when taking caring of parents, and the sense of guilt when sending elderly parents to residential facilities adds to the stress (Payne A1).
Korea
In 1950 the Korean War resulted both in many war injuries, and in widespread poverty. Therefore, unfortunately, there was no way for survivors to prepare for old age. They had to work for economic renewal, not for private finance. As a result, Korea has the highest number of Sandwich Generation members than any other Asian country. That is why Korea still has a large family system. Especially in rural areas, large, extended families live together. As with the Sandwich Generation in other countries, the main concern in Korea is the additional cost of caring for elderly parents (Lim 4).
Statistics
According to EIU, the International Specialized Research Institute, the typical Asian Sandwich Generation member is 30 to 45 years old, is supporting at least two parents, and has one or two of their own children to support (blackenterprise.com).