All Grows Old... by Mike Lees
The fast pace and highly structured workplace is pushing the demands of intergenerational relationships and the infrastructure of familial dynamics. In American culture, there is a need for longer work hours in order to support the current lifestyles. This in turn places the “middle” generations in a difficult situation when it comes to supporting both the old and the young. Kalmijn and Saraceno (2008) pointed out assessing need in relationship to this situation when it comes to addressing what younger and older generations are working with. In this context, three ideas relating to the partner status, health status, and education of the parent stand as focal points in a study concerning varying European countries and their relationship to care giving. Within this, Kalmijn and Saraceno pointed out how nuclearization, culture, and institutions will play a role in what the “Sandwich Generation” is working with (p. 484).
Between the aforementioned constructs addressed by Kalmijn and Saraceno (2008), the diversity that is American culture finds the need to juggle not only an American lifestyle, but also that of their own cultural make-up. More often than not, this presents as conflicting. As a leader in a work environment, tending to a multi-global populace is important if healthy human relationships are to continue. There is a need that exists right now to think less about money and more about human relationships.
An and Cooney (2006) stress the importance of generativity in a study conducted concerning psychological well-being on the part of intergenerational relationships. In lieu of societal pressures, An and Cooney suggested increased activities concerning volunteerism and community service need to find implementation in order to alleviate stressors associated with the sandwich generation trying to juggle it all. An important point to consider is that everyone ages and everyone grows old, and the sandwich generation will be there some day. A sad sentiment often heard in American culture is that there is a fear of growing old. Growing old in American culture is often synonymous with no longer useful. If generativity is to be healthy, the sense of useless needs to be replaced with useful and supplemented with activities that will lead to healthier longevity for each of us. Important to remember is that no one is above the aging process and manifestation of impermanence in this amazing world and universe we live within.
References:
An, J. S. (2006). Psychological well-being in mid to late life: The role of generativity development and parent-child relationships across the lifespan. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 30(5), 410-421. Doi: 10.1177/0165025406071489
Kalmijn, M., & Sarceno, C. (2008). A comparative perspective on intergenerational support: Responsiveness to parental needs in individualistic and familialistic countries. European Societies, 10(3), 479-508. Doi: 10.1080/14616690701744364
The fast pace and highly structured workplace is pushing the demands of intergenerational relationships and the infrastructure of familial dynamics. In American culture, there is a need for longer work hours in order to support the current lifestyles. This in turn places the “middle” generations in a difficult situation when it comes to supporting both the old and the young. Kalmijn and Saraceno (2008) pointed out assessing need in relationship to this situation when it comes to addressing what younger and older generations are working with. In this context, three ideas relating to the partner status, health status, and education of the parent stand as focal points in a study concerning varying European countries and their relationship to care giving. Within this, Kalmijn and Saraceno pointed out how nuclearization, culture, and institutions will play a role in what the “Sandwich Generation” is working with (p. 484).
Between the aforementioned constructs addressed by Kalmijn and Saraceno (2008), the diversity that is American culture finds the need to juggle not only an American lifestyle, but also that of their own cultural make-up. More often than not, this presents as conflicting. As a leader in a work environment, tending to a multi-global populace is important if healthy human relationships are to continue. There is a need that exists right now to think less about money and more about human relationships.
An and Cooney (2006) stress the importance of generativity in a study conducted concerning psychological well-being on the part of intergenerational relationships. In lieu of societal pressures, An and Cooney suggested increased activities concerning volunteerism and community service need to find implementation in order to alleviate stressors associated with the sandwich generation trying to juggle it all. An important point to consider is that everyone ages and everyone grows old, and the sandwich generation will be there some day. A sad sentiment often heard in American culture is that there is a fear of growing old. Growing old in American culture is often synonymous with no longer useful. If generativity is to be healthy, the sense of useless needs to be replaced with useful and supplemented with activities that will lead to healthier longevity for each of us. Important to remember is that no one is above the aging process and manifestation of impermanence in this amazing world and universe we live within.
References:
An, J. S. (2006). Psychological well-being in mid to late life: The role of generativity development and parent-child relationships across the lifespan. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 30(5), 410-421. Doi: 10.1177/0165025406071489
Kalmijn, M., & Sarceno, C. (2008). A comparative perspective on intergenerational support: Responsiveness to parental needs in individualistic and familialistic countries. European Societies, 10(3), 479-508. Doi: 10.1080/14616690701744364