2013-01-29-皮尤-The_Sandwich_Generation_31页_426kb

The Sandwich Generation: Financial and Emotional Burdens of Middle-Aged Americans

Core Content

The sandwich generation refers to middle-aged adults (ages 40–59) who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and supporting their grown children financially or emotionally. This report from the Pew Research Center highlights the increasing financial and emotional responsibilities faced by this group, as well as the public's perception of these obligations.

Main Findings

Financial Support Trends

• 47% of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent aged 65 or older and are either raising a child under 18 or financially supporting a grown child.
• 15% of middle-aged adults are supporting both a parent and a child.
• 48% of adults aged 40–59 have provided financial support to at least one grown child in the past year.
• 27% provide primary financial support to a grown child.
• 30% of adults aged 40–59 have provided financial support to a parent aged 65 or older.
• 73% of adults with a grown child (ages 40–59) have given some financial help in the past year.
• 63% of all adults with a grown child have provided some form of financial support.

Demographic Differences

• Hispanics are more likely to be in the sandwich generation than whites or blacks (31% vs. 24% vs. 21%).
• More affluent adults (those with annual household incomes of $100,000 or more) are more likely to be in the sandwich generation (43% vs. 25% for those making $30,000–$100,000, and 17% for those making less than $30,000).
• Married adults are more likely to be sandwiched between parents and children (36% vs. 13% of unmarried adults).
• Women are more likely than men to be in the sandwich generation, although the difference is not significant.
• Aging mothers are more likely to receive financial help than aging fathers.

Financial Well-Being

• 28% of sandwich-generation adults say they live comfortably.
• 30% say they have enough to meet basic expenses with a little left over.
• 30% say they are just able to meet basic expenses.
• 11% say they don't have enough to meet even basic expenses.
• 41% of adults who are sandwiched between parents and children but not providing support to an aging parent say they live comfortably.

Public Perception of Responsibility

• 75% of all adults believe that adult children have a responsibility to support an aging parent in need.
• 52% believe that parents have a responsibility to support a grown child in need.
• 23% of adults say it is not a child’s responsibility to support an aging parent.
• 24% of adults say it is not a parent’s responsibility to support a grown child.

Emotional Support

• 35% of adults with a parent aged 65 or older say their parent frequently relies on them for emotional support.
• 33% say their parent sometimes relies on them for emotional support.
• 61% of adults who say their parents do not need help with daily living still report that their parents rely on them for emotional support.
• 84% of adults whose parents need help with daily living say their parents rely on them for emotional support.
• 75% of adults with a parent aged 80 or older say their parent frequently or sometimes relies on them for emotional support.

Generational Shifts

• Baby Boomers (ages 48–66) and Generation X (ages 32–47) are now the primary groups in the sandwich generation.
• Gen Xers are more likely than Baby Boomers to be in the sandwich generation (42% vs. 33%).

Key Information

• The financial burden on middle-aged Americans is increasing due to the Great Recession and slow recovery.
• 72% of those who provide financial support to aging parents say it is for ongoing expenses.
• 62% of those who support grown children say it is a parent’s responsibility.
• Emotional support is a key aspect of the sandwich generation's role, with many providing it to both aging parents and grown children.
• The majority of sandwich-generation adults report being as happy as other adults, despite the pressures they face.
• Time constraints are more common among sandwich-generation adults, with 31% saying they are always rushed.
• Financial support to grown children is more common than to aging parents, with 30% of all adults providing support to a grown child.

Summary of Financial and Emotional Responsibilities

• Middle-aged adults are the most likely to support both aging parents and grown children.
• Hispanics and lower-income groups are disproportionately represented in the sandwich generation.
• Married adults are more likely to be in the sandwich generation.
• Public opinion emphasizes the responsibility of adult children to support aging parents, but views on parents supporting grown children are more divided.
• Emotional ties across generations are strong, with many parents relying on their children for support even when not financially dependent.
• Financial well-being is more strained for those providing support to both parents and children.

Conclusion

The sandwich generation is a growing phenomenon in American society, driven by economic challenges and changing family dynamics. Despite the added stress, many middle-aged adults report being as happy as their peers, though they often face time and financial pressures. The report underscores the importance of intergenerational support and the evolving role of middle-aged adults in family care.