In the Middle: A Report on Multicultural Boomers Coping With Family and Aging Issues

For now, sandwich generation boomers (the 44% of those age 45 to 55 who have aging parents as well as children under 21) are coping well and enjoy taking care of their families. In a nation as diverse as the United States, there are inevitably differences in how well they are coping, and the types of care they give, but majorities in every racial and ethnic group believe that they are coping well and use similar coping mechanisms to address the needs of three generations. Irrespective of differences in racial or ethnic background, these Americans have much in common when it comes to family life. Most view their children as their closest family members, and many rely on faith and prayer most frequently to help them care for their elders.

The analysis in this report is based on the results of a national telephone survey of 2,352 midlife Americans (including 404 African Americans, 429 Hispanics, and 351 Asian Americans) conducted between March 8 and March 31, 2001, using English and Spanish versions of the questionnaire. The survey was conducted for AARP by Belden Russonello & Stewart and Research/Strategy/Management. (131 pages)