The Sandwich Generation Squeeze: A Sociological Exploration Of Gendered Caregiving Of The Eledrly

This article discusses the growing phenomenon of the sandwich generation, which refers to individuals who are responsible for caring for both their aging parents and their own children. This demographic is becoming increasingly common in many countries, particularly as life expectancies rise and people have children later in life. Women are more likely than men to be caregivers in this demographic, which can lead to a disproportionate burden on women to provide informal caregiving, often at the expense of their personal and professional goals. In India, around 50% of the elderly are cared for by their children, and around 30% of those caregivers are also responsible for raising their own children. Women in India are more likely than men to provide unpaid care, with 80% of caregivers being female. The traditional gender role in India results in women taking on more caregiving responsibilities, which can lead to negative health outcomes, economic implications, and impact their social lives and relationships. Caregiving can be a physically and emotionally demanding role, and caregivers in India often experience high levels of stress and depression as a result. Caregiving may also limit their ability to participate in paid work, further exacerbating financial stress and social isolation. The article emphasizes the need to address the gender gap in caregiving responsibilities and provide support to caregivers, particularly women, to improve their well-being and ensure that they are not negatively impacted by their caregiving responsibilities.