The Sandwich Generation Today people often look forward to their middle age as a time when they will be able to take things easier. After their children are grown, they expect to enjoy the life they have worked hard to create. However, the reality is often very different. In middle age, many people discover that they have two ongoing responsibilities: one is to look after their aging parents, and the other is to help their young adult children deal with the pressures of life. Around the world, there are millions of people who are "sandwiched" in between the older and the younger generations. Sometimes there may be two or three generations living in the same household—a situation that is common in many Asian countries and in some parts of Europe. In other cases, a couple may be taking care of parents and children, but they do not live with them.
There are two important reasons for the rise of the sandwich generation. First, people are living longer than they used to. In the early nineteenth century, the average life expectancy for adults in the United States, for example, was about 40, whereas today people live to an average age of 75. Therefore, children are taking care of their parents over a longer period of time. The second reason is that these days, young adults often live with their parents for a longer time than they did in the past. This is often for financial reasons. It’s also more common for today’s young adults to return home during or after college if they need financial or emotional support.
Young adults feel sandwiched between their financial responsibilities and their desire to enjoy life. They may have to cover expenses that their parents cannot. They may have to manage their parents’ financial and legal affairs. They may have to prepare for their parents’ future needs, such as special medical care or a move to a nursing home. This can be a traumatic (长期困扰的) experience for everyone.
Caring for adult children presents challenges as well, and caregivers have to resolve important questions: How can financial responsibilities be shared among members of the household How can household chores be shared What is the best way to ensure everyone’s privacy Successfully coping with these issues can avoid a lot of stress for the whole family.
The financial and emotional pressures on the sandwich generation can be overwhelming. However, this time in life also has its rewards. It can be a time to rediscover the special qualities of one’s parents or children. It can also provide a valuable opportunity to spend more time with them. However, in order to survive this difficult period in their lives, the members of the sandwich generation must remember that they also need to pay attention to their own needs and look after the quality of their own lives. They can’t be totally selfless. Why do some young adults choose to live with their parents these days