There's a new generational tag....the Sandwich Generation. This refers to the generation of middle-aged adults who are caring for both their parents and their own children.
71% of this group are ages 40 to 59, 19% are younger than 40, and 10% are age 60 or older.
Nearly half of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older). 48% of adults ages 40-59 have provided some financial support to at least one grown child in the past year, with 27% providing the primary support.
One likely explanation for the increase in the prevalence of parents providing financial assistance to grown children is the Recession and sluggish recovery. It has taken a toll on young adults. In 2010, the share of young adults who were employed full-time experienced a greater drop in average weekly earnings than any other group.
Emotional support is also prevalent. 61% of the Sandwich Generation say their parents rely on them for emotional support. 33% say their grown children depend on them frequently for emotional support.
A positive is closer family relationships. Half of all adults with a grown child say their relationship with their children is closer than the relationship they had with their own parents at a comparable age.
- Have you noticed these trends in your ministry?
- How can we come alongside the Sandwich Generation and provide support and encouragement?
- How can we partner with Sandwich Generation parents?
- How has this changed the dynamics of many families?
