The sandwich generation: Social reality or gerontological myth?

Author(s): Kytir, J.

Journal/Book: Kolner Z Soziol Sozialpsychol. 1998; 50: Postfach 5829, W-6200 Wiesbaden, Germany. Westdeutscher Verlag Gmbh. 730+.

Abstract: Middle-aged women between 40 and 60 years of age are frequently characterized by the notion of the ''sandwich generation''. Those women are thought to be caught by competing responsibilities for children and grand-children on the one hand and their ageing parents or parents-in-law on the other. Additionally, they have to split their resources of time and energy for paid employment. Data from a large probability sample survey in Austria (micro-census) is analyzed. Ic is shown that cross-sectionally only a minority of 27 percent or less can be labelled as ''women in the middle'' in a strict sense defined as having parents and grand-children at the same time. This constellation is far more common in rural areas than in urban areas. Being ''sandwiched'' and employed at the same time is only a minority of 14 percent or less. Finally, it is shown that contact networks with children and grand-children are far more densely knit than contact networks with parents or parents-in-law.

Note: Article Horl J, Univ Vienna, Inst Soziol, Alserstr 33, A-1080 Vienna, AUSTRIA

Keyword(s): ADULTS; MIDDLE

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