Intergenerational Support of Older Adults by the ‘Mature’ Sandwich Generation: The Relevance of National Policy Regimes
Abstract
In this article we examine the association between national welfare
regime and the propensity of middle–aged and older individuals with
adult children of their own to provide social support to aged parents.
Using data from mature adults (50+) in 26 European countries, we
examine whether older and younger generations compete for the time
resources of the middle “sandwiched” generation, and whether national
policy context shapes this competition. Contrary to expectations, we
found that sandwich generation members were less likely to provide
support to their parents in Conservative–Mediterranean and East
European regimes, but more likely to do so in universalistic Social–
Democratic regimes. This evidence supports the hypothesis that
well–developed welfare states “crowd–in” family support to older
individuals. Middle generation members who provided social support
to their adult children tended to provide to their older parents as well.
This was particularly true in the two regimes where resources and
public benefits tend to be more generous and may be interpreted as
state benefits that reduce intergenerational competition. Findings
are discussed in terms of the capacity of state policies to shape the
allocation of family resources to older adults where extended family
lineages have become the norm.
state benefts that reduce intergenerational competition. Findings
are discussed in terms of the capacity of state policies to shape the
allocation of family resources to older adults where extended family
lineages have become the norm.
regime and the propensity of middle–aged and older individuals with
adult children of their own to provide social support to aged parents.
Using data from mature adults (50+) in 26 European countries, we
examine whether older and younger generations compete for the time
resources of the middle “sandwiched” generation, and whether national
policy context shapes this competition. Contrary to expectations, we
found that sandwich generation members were less likely to provide
support to their parents in Conservative–Mediterranean and East
European regimes, but more likely to do so in universalistic Social–
Democratic regimes. This evidence supports the hypothesis that
well–developed welfare states “crowd–in” family support to older
individuals. Middle generation members who provided social support
to their adult children tended to provide to their older parents as well.
This was particularly true in the two regimes where resources and
public benefits tend to be more generous and may be interpreted as
state benefits that reduce intergenerational competition. Findings
are discussed in terms of the capacity of state policies to shape the
allocation of family resources to older adults where extended family
lineages have become the norm.
state benefts that reduce intergenerational competition. Findings
are discussed in terms of the capacity of state policies to shape the
allocation of family resources to older adults where extended family
lineages have become the norm.