It is Not a Burden, Because it is a Must

The double burden makes it difficult for people in the sandwich generation to prepare their own old-age funds. If this problem is not immediately resolved, future generations will also experience the same problem.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

Haidi (37) repairs a customer's cell phone at a mobile phone and laptop service business he manages in Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan, Tuesday (6/9/2022). As an informal worker, Haidi belongs to the sandwich generation, which has to bear a double economic burden, namely for his family and parents.

“Sandwich generation” is a concept that emerged in 1981 in an article by Dorothy Miller and Elaine Brody. Miller highlighted individuals who were in a position to take care of their aging parents, while Brody highlighted the double burden of women in the United States who must take care of their children and husbands, plus aging parents or relatives.

From the two descriptions above, the sandwich generation refers to people in the productive age group who are bearing the financial burdens of their aging parents as well as that of their own family. If they have a family, the burden comes from their children. If they are single, the burden comes from their siblings.

The reference to “productive age” is defined as people aged between 15 and 65, so this means that the two unproductive generations can pose an economic burden on the sandwich generation are the 0-14 years age group and over 65s.

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The sandwich generation is not a new phenomenon in the world, including in Indonesia. Viewed from the historical aspect, the emergence of the sandwich generation is caused by two factors. The first is the surge in population during the baby boomer generation, due to the era of peace that followed World War II, which extended the human life expectancy.

The high life expectancy means that people live longer into old age, although they are no longer productive. This gives rise to the second cause of the sandwich generation, namely financial unpreparedness in old age. This condition forces individuals of the productive age to take care their aging parents.

A survey conducted by Kompas Research & Development (Litbang Kompas) on 9-11 Aug. 2022 illustrates the burdens of Indonesia’s sandwich generation. Overall, seven out of 10 respondents said that they belonged to the sandwich generation. This finding shows that most productive age people bear the economic burden of being sandwiched between two generational layers.

The sandwich generation is not a new phenomenon in the world, including in Indonesia.

Viewed in terms of generational groups, respondents from Generation Y (24-39 years) are bearing the greatest economic burden. Four out of 10 Gen Y respondents acknowledged that they had to provide financial support for their parents or in-laws, siblings, and even relatives.

The second largest age group experiencing a similar condition is the Gen X group (40-55 years). A closer look shows that most Gen Y and Gen X individuals have parents who are no longer productive. This situation shows that individuals aged 24-55 years are the most prone to fall within the sandwich generation.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

Silhouettes of workers rushing to their workplaces or changing modes of transportation from Sudirman station, Central Jakarta, Friday (11/19/2021). Many of the workers in the capital are the sandwich generation who have to share their income with their families and support their parents' economy.

All layers

The results of the Litbang Kompas survey show that the double burden borne by the sandwich generation occurs in all socioeconomic strata. All communities with economic capabilities ranging from strong to weak share this condition.

The difference lies in how many people in each socioeconomic class are part of the sandwich generations. Five out of 10 respondents from the lower middle class said they were responsible for raising their children while caring for their aging parents. Respondents from this socioeconomic group are the most likely to be part of the sandwich generation.

Furthermore, four out of 10 respondents from the lowest economic group are facing a similar condition. It can be said that the majority of the sandwich generation comes from the lower middle class and the lower class.

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From the economic perspective, this large financial burden is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. However, from the social perspective, the respondents said that carrying a double economic burden is nothing to complain about.

The majority of survey respondents from all socioeconomic groups said that they did not view their financial obligations as burdens. On further examination, this view among members of the sandwich generation stems from the culture and sense of kinship typical to Indonesian people.

Providing assistance to one’s parents is considered a noble act. Adults must take care of their parents and family. This view means that depending on the sandwich generation is common in Indonesian society.

The survey also shows that the sandwich generation can emerge in all layers of society with varying levels of economic burden. One of the reasons for this is the financial deadlock in escaping the sandwich generation, referring to people of productive age whose incomes are primarily used to cover their double burden.

This double burden makes it difficult for people in the sandwich generation to prepare their own old-age funds. If this problem is not immediately resolved, future generations will also experience the same problem. (Litbang Kompas)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.