The number of joint families in America is increasing rapidly, with 23% of young adults now living with grandparents
48% of young people in joint families happy with family life: Pew Research
Major changes are taking place in American society. Joint families are growing rapidly here. Now 23% of youth live with their parents and grandparents. According to the ARP survey, between 2015-20 the number of sandwich households increased from 28% to 30%. Here working parents above 65 years of age and caring for young children are called 'Sandwich Generation'. Such families are believed to be stressed due to the burden of responsibilities.
However, with time these families have learned to find a balance between parents and children. They are not calling it a burden of responsibilities but an emotional attachment. Lara Bulson of Alabama cares for her 90-year-old mother who suffers from dementia. They want to keep mothers busy with their children. They want mom to be involved in the board games the kids play at home after dinner. They feel that it will keep the mother active. However, he said that children have to struggle a lot to play with their mothers.
ARP Vice President Patty David said we need to change the perception of the sandwich generation. We have to understand what is going on in their world? How can we deliver government help to such families? In the Policy Genius Sandwich Generation survey, 60% believe that parents and caregivers experience financial stress. This group spends an average of Rs 9 lakh and 1350 hours a year on their parents and children. A petition was filed with the signatures of one lakh people asking the Parliament to provide financial assistance and paid medical leave to such families.
Children of joint families are more educated as compared to nuclear families
According to a survey by Pew Research, the education level of children living in joint families is superior to that of nuclear families. At least 30% of youth living in large families are graduates, while the figure is 20% in nuclear families. 27% of high income earners live in joint families. The participation of low and middle income households is 21% and 24% respectively. 48% youth living in joint families are happy with their family life. 44% youth from nuclear families are happy with their family life.
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