Facebook site strikes a chord with ‘Sandwich Generation” women

Woman are now expected to provide a second income to their households but many are also taking on the burden of raising both their children and caring for aging parents.

They’re called “The Sandwich Generation” a mostly female group who bear the full brunt of child care and aged care.

A facebook site recently created and sponsored by Red Button Technologies, has seen a surprising amount of enthusiasm by Australian women and even some from overseas.

The facebook site can be viewed at http://bit.ly/aGLNsQ however; you will need a Facebook Account to view it.

“There is a lot of pain out there and women have embraced the site as a way of seeking camaraderie from others in the same situation” said Jane Daw, Sandwich Generation moderator.

“I am also in the Sandwich Generation, with three of my own children in their late teens and my parents have just moved into a nursing home” said Jane.

“For us, a lot of our self esteem and self worth stems from our careers; we were given the opportunity and our friends work. Woman of my age are not content being housewives and in fact feel pressure to work, and guilty if they don’t. Plus, quite frankly we need the money. At the moment I work two jobs part-time so I can balance looking after mum and dad, the children and the house.”

It’s a common story.

But then there are the more desperate situations like Loraine who writes…

“I lost my mother last November (she was only 65) we had discussed just 3 days prior to her coming and living with me and my 15 yr old son. I would give anything for it to have happened, she was my best friend and i would gladly be in the 'Sandwich Generation' if i could have.”

There are many contributions from Facebookers who gladly pour out their heart and seek solace from other contributors; people they have never met.

“It’s quite interesting and also heartening that people who share a common problem can come to togethor this way and help each other, and sometimes tears are shed” said Jane.

The Sandwich Generation discussion has only been running for a couple of weeks and has collected nearly 200 followers. The profile of people is 98% female with 80% being aged between 40 and 60 years.

Petra wrote “I didn't realise we had a name for this problem. Some of the stories I have read so far make me feel like I'm not alone, there are so many of us.” Which sums up what the facebook Sandwich Generation site is about.

Surprisingly there is no shortage of people in the Sandwich Generation with more than 1 million people in that demographic living in Australia, but with an unknown number using Facebook.

“It’s an interesting social media experiment” said Red Button’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin Wearne.

“We’ve yet to see any results but in the meantime it seems to be fulfilling a need for the people who have joined the group.”