What does this research mean for the field?

Individuals in the sandwich generation face complex emotional conundrums as they navigate conflicting self-imposed expectations and family traditions while simultaneously caring for aging parents and young children. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore and document the lived experiences and complex dilemmas of providing simultaneous care to both growing children and an aging parent.

August 22, 2026Communication Studies

Stuck in the Middle with You: A Sandwich Generation Autoethnography

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Authors

CBC. Wesley BuerkleEast Tennessee State University

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Implication

Autoethnographic study explores dual caregiving pressures in the sandwich generation, highlighting the challenge of balancing filial duty with active fatherhood.

Key Points

To explore and document the lived experiences and complex dilemmas of providing simultaneous care to both growing children and an aging parent.
Autoethnographic design utilizing personal narrative to examine dual-generation caregiving experiences.
Qualitative exploration of personal care choices, filial duty toward an aging mother, and conscious efforts to provide active, present fatherhood.
Identifies a challenging tangle of self-imposed caretaking expectations for an elderly mother combined with active resistance against generational patterns of uninvolved fatherhood.
Outlines practical advice and supportive frameworks in a structured appendix to assist peers navigating simultaneous multi-generational care demands.

Cite This Study

C. Wesley Buerkle (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f53ca7ade938187dd1d https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2026.2718164

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Implication

Autoethnographic study explores dual caregiving pressures in the sandwich generation, highlighting the challenge of balancing filial duty with active fatherhood.

Stuck in the Middle with You: A Sandwich Generation Autoethnography

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Stuck in the Middle with You: A Sandwich Generation Autoethnography

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider