Unveiling the Diversity: Exploring the Multi-Generational Sandwich Generation in Latin America

Lía Carnes Borrajo , El Colegio de México
Ana Fidelia Aparicio Trejo, El Colegio de México

Recent studies on global trends within the sandwich generation acknowledge the regional variations in this phenomenon. They also emphasize the need to expand the concept to encompass a greater number of generations that may be concurrently responsible for caring for both children and elderly family members. Furthermore, these studies highlight the limited research that has explored the specific demographic factors influencing this phenomenon in the Global South. As a result, we advocate for a broader consideration of factors such as diverse age groups, kinship dynamics, and residential arrangements, which could lead to the emergence of more diverse multi-generational households in low-income countries. Our objective is to discern the heterogeneity with which this phenomenon manifests itself in Latin America, influenced by factors such as the prevalence of early fertility and co-residential patterns specific to the region. To accomplish this, we analyze data from Time Use Surveys in three countries –Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay. The use of a broader definition of the sandwich generation enables us to showcase the diversity of demographic and residential configurations among those providing multi-generational simultaneous care in these Latin American countries. We believe that considering these specific factors can add more complex dimensions to recent findings on global trends in the sandwich phenomenon.

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 Presented in Session 94. Intergenerational Relations and Transfers