May 04, 2026
Financial Education for Women in the Sandwich Generation
Kettlyn da Costa Moreira; Nubia Gabriela Pereira Carvalho
Summary prepared by the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by the Pecege Institute focused on synthesis and writing.
In recent decades, the progressive increase in life expectancy and the profound transformations in the social, demographic, and economic spheres have forced family structures to reorganize into new formats. A coexisting phenomenon of growing relevance is that of individuals who simultaneously assume the care of elderly parents and children, a configuration that the literature calls the sandwich generation. This term, recognized at the end of the 20th century, describes people who find themselves squeezed between the demands of different generations, facing a complex combination of tasks that can vary in multiple layers, as in the case of the club sandwich, where the care network extends over more than two generations (Brody; Miller, 1981). The systematization of these caregiver profiles allows for the identification of distinct categories, such as the traditional sandwich generation, composed of adults who care for elderly parents and young children; the club sandwich, which includes adults between 40 and 60 years old caring for elderly parents, adult children, or grandchildren; and the open sandwich, which encompasses anyone involved in supporting the elderly (Ashais, 2023). This typology highlights the diversity of roles assumed and the varied financial conditions that amplify the challenges faced by this group, providing a basis for analyses of the social and emotional impact of this experience (Idoeta, 2023).
The characterization of these caregivers reveals that the accumulation of financial, familial, and emotional responsibilities is a constant in different cultural realities. Research on the obstacles faced by this generation indicates that time management, financial demands, and physical and emotional overload are factors that intensify, especially in contexts of dual family income (Khanikar, 2022). From the Brazilian perspective, it is observed that this arrangement is predominantly composed of women who simultaneously care for descendants and ascendants (Feijó, 2025). This scenario is influenced by sociodemographic transformations, such as the change in the motherhood norm, which shifted from an early model to a late model. This transition has consolidated as a growing reality, driven by reduced fertility, the use of contraceptive methods, and women’s increased power to choose to postpone pregnancy in pursuit of professional projects and financial stability (Moreira; Nardi, 2009). However, this dual responsibility imposes a significant financial burden, making financial education a crucial aspect for family balance and long-term planning.
Financial literacy plays a fundamental role in the decision-making process, encompassing both theoretical understanding and practical application of knowledge to promote economic stability. Given recent economic transformations, there has been an expansion in the use of digital technologies for personal finance management. Tools accessible via mobile devices and computers offer functions ranging from basic ones, such as recording income and expenses, to advanced features like creating detailed plans, credit assessments, and building goals integrated with open financial systems. The use of these solutions, promoted by credit protection institutions, allows individuals to accurately diagnose their financial conditions and adopt more conscious behaviors. Applying project management concepts to this daily life, through the use of tools that facilitate the organization of financial habits, constitutes a foundation for promoting the economic security of the middle generation and their dependents.
The methodological path adopted for understanding this phenomenon was based on applied research, with the aim of offering practical contributions to the context of women who balance intergenerational care. The mixed approach integrated qualitative and quantitative aspects, possessing an exploratory and descriptive character to allow for the initial collection of information and detailed characterization of the problem. The technical procedures involved bibliographic research and survey research, fundamental strategies for data collection and analysis. The material used resulted from the observation of recurring problems in work environments and social groups, associated with the transformations affecting contemporary society. The data collection plan included face-to-face and virtual meetings over five months, with a goal of reaching 60 participants, which would result in an average of 12 people per month. The selected participants were predominantly women belonging to the sandwich generation, invited in advance via personal communication messages.
In the face-to-face modality, approaches were made with work colleagues in meetings lasting between 40 and 60 minutes. These meetings were held in informal settings, such as the company cafeteria, without the need for rigid corporate agendas, using messages via instant messaging applications for date alignment. In the online format, the application occurred through videoconferencing platforms and digital questionnaires, complemented by remote clarifications. The discussions during these meetings focused on presenting the concept of the sandwich generation and the importance of this knowledge for acceptance in corporate, family, and community environments. The impacts on mental health, such as emotional fluctuations and stress, were debated, as well as how these factors influence the routine necessary for fulfilling family roles. Furthermore, reflection was promoted on the phenomenon of indebtedness, highlighting financial overload and the pressure to maintain lifestyles without proper planning.
Quantitative data collection was carried out through the Google Forms platform, with a questionnaire composed of closed-ended questions and restricted to the female public aged 35 years or older. This instrument served as a complement to the information obtained in the meetings, allowing for a broader analysis of self-care and financial management practices. By the end of the collection period, 50 people had participated, representing significant adherence from women in leadership and senior positions, totaling 20% of the sample. The face-to-face meetings were divided into three distinct moments, with small groups to ensure the depth of the reports. The online format, in turn, enabled a wider reach, with bi-weekly meetings grouping an average of five to six people per session, totaling 28 participants distributed across five virtual meetings. It was observed that the topic aroused curiosity, especially among professionals in high management positions, although the unavailability of schedules concentrated the participation of this profile in the remote format.
Data processing ensured the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants, dispensing with the need for physical or digital signatures to ensure confidentiality. The analysis combined a literature review with the questionnaire results and meeting reports, aiming to capture feelings such as gratitude, acceptance, guilt, and comparison. These elements allowed for a contrast of the different experiences lived by the sandwich generation. The research focused on women aged between 35 and 50 years, a period that coincides with the phase of balancing care for children and parents. By the closing of the survey, the respondents’ occupations revealed a predominance of formally employed professionals under the Consolidation of Labor Laws regime, representing 66.7% of the sample. The remaining 33.3% were divided among self-employed professionals, women dedicated exclusively to domestic tasks, and retirees, indicating heterogeneity in work situations and available resources for family financial organization.
Regarding family composition, the data showed that 50% of the participants have school-aged children or adolescents, while 83.3% of their fathers are over 60 years old. This configuration reinforces the intergenerational nature of the responsibilities assumed. As for marital status, a predominance of married individuals or those in a stable union was observed, corresponding to more than half of the participants, with smaller representations of single, divorced, and widowed individuals. Regardless of the conjugal arrangement, the challenges reported were similar. Expressions indicating that the responsibility falls predominantly on women were almost unanimous, suggesting that, even with the presence of a partner, the majority of decisions and emotional and practical directions are still centralized in the female figure. The lack of proactivity from male partners was a point of imbalance highlighted in the reports, evidencing that the burden is not only financial but also in managing the family unit.
The main challenges identified focus on financial organization to support multiple generations, time management to reconcile professional and personal life, and care for one’s own mental health. The reports were laden with excessive self-demand, often rooted in affective childhood memories, where the maternal figure was the exclusive reference for household tasks. This cultural inheritance influences how women today perceive their roles, generating a conflict between the desire to reproduce traditional care practices and the need to build new life scenarios. Some participants expressed the intention to break this cycle, encouraging both sons and daughters to perform domestic activities equitably. The exchange of experiences in conversation circles revealed that, although in different scenarios, feelings of isolation and a lack of understanding about daily pressures are common to 30% of the women questioned.
The perception that daughters have a moral obligation to reciprocate the care received from parents is still a very present cultural concept, often falling on the eldest sister in families with more women. Most respondents believe that women face greater challenges than men at this stage of life, due to the historical and cultural burden that positions them as primary caregivers. With the aim of mitigating these impacts, the research sought to offer simplified project management tools. The selection of software such as Trello and Asana, in addition to the use of digital calendars, was justified by their intuitive visual interface and the absence of the need for advanced technical knowledge. These tools allow task management by sections and unified commitment control, being suitable for personal and financial planning without the complexity of robust corporate systems. The availability of free versions expands access, contributing to improved organization in family and professional dimensions.
The analysis of physical health practices revealed that, although 70% of participants maintain a balanced diet weekly, only 50% manage to engage in physical activities with the same frequency, and 33% do so rarely. In the realm of emotional health, awareness of the need for therapy is high, with 60% attending bi-weekly sessions. However, practices that strengthen emotional balance, such as reading and self-knowledge, show neglect rates, with 30% of women performing them rarely. In the financial sphere, 40% of participants stated they have basic knowledge in financial education, but the lack of consistency in applying these concepts is an obstacle. Only 25% perform monthly planning on a weekly basis, and 60% rarely use financial applications for expense control. This gap between theoretical knowledge and daily practice corroborates the need for strategies that encourage discipline and the use of support tools.
The identified overload dialogues with classic studies that already highlighted the weight of family responsibilities on women in the sandwich generation (Brody; Miller, 1981). The reality reflected in the data shows that the responsibility for care tends to fall on women even in different family arrangements, which creates an imbalance in the division of domestic tasks. The feelings of guilt and self-demand identified in the discussions confirm that the increase in life expectancy and the reduction in fertility have intensified intergenerational cohabitation, increasing the burden of care (Jesus; Wajnman, 2016). This cultural and historical pressure is confirmed by the disparity in the proportion of sandwich generation women outside the labor market compared to men (Feijó, 2025). The neglect of self-care, pointed out by about 20% of the participants, reveals the perpetuation of patterns where women must assume the primary responsibility for the well-being of ascendants and descendants, often to the detriment of their own health.
The analysis of the results demonstrates that financial education, when associated with simplified project management practices, represents a viable path to reduce the impacts of overload. The use of organizational methods can provide greater autonomy and quality of life, allowing these women to better manage their time and financial resources. It is imperative that public policies and private initiatives exist that offer real support to this population, in line with recommendations that advocate for multisectoral strategies to support multigenerational families (Bowen; Riley, 2005). The research reinforces that care and actions aimed at financial education and the encouragement of self-care are essential to alleviate the burden of this generation. Programs offering everything from practical training to financial planning guidance can significantly contribute to the balance between personal, professional, and family spheres.
Beyond the challenges, the experience of being between generations was also reframed by many participants as an opportunity for learning and a form of gratitude to their parents. This role, although exhausting, is seen as a mission in relation to their children, allowing the construction of an intergenerational legacy and the strengthening of family identity. Financial literacy, therefore, should not be seen merely as a technical skill, but as an empowerment tool that allows for dealing with unforeseen events and ensuring the economic security of the entire family unit (Louzada; Forte, 2024). The importance of personal management and expense control becomes even more evident when considering the need to form emergency reserves and plan for one’s own retirement, preventing the cycle of financial dependence from repeating in future generations (Silva; Monteiro, 2023).
It is concluded that the objective was achieved, as it was understood how financial education and project management can underpin the organization of habits for women in the sandwich generation. The research highlighted that emotional and financial overload is aggravated by cultural factors and the centralization of responsibilities on the female figure, resulting in neglect of self-care and difficulties in maintaining consistent financial controls. The identification that 40% of participants have basic knowledge but fail in practical application reinforces the need for intuitive and accessible tools. The use of management instruments and the promotion of support policies are configured as essential strategies to increase the autonomy and balance of these women. The study demonstrated that, despite the intense challenges, reframing the caregiver role and adopting organizational practices allow for the promotion of economic stability and the improvement of intergenerational quality of life.
Bibliographic References:
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Line 4: Khanikar, A. (2015). Elderly Parents: Caregiving Challenges of Sandwich Generation.
Line 5: Feijó, J. (2025). Proporção de mulheres da geração sanduíche fora do mercado é quase seis vezes maior que a de homens. Portal FGV. Disponível em: <https://portal.fgv.br/artigos/proporcao-mulheres-geracao-sanduiche-fora-mercado-e-quase-seis-vezes-maior-homens>. Acesso em: 05/06/2025.
Line 6: Moreira, L. E.; Nardi, H. C. (2009). Mãe é tudo igual? Enunciados produzindo maternidade(s) contemporânea(s). Revista Estudos Feministas, 17(2), 569–594.
Line 7: Jesus, C. J.; Wajnman, S. (2016). Geração sanduíche: é realidade ou mito? Revista Latinoamerica de Población, 10(18).
Line 8: Bowen, C.; Riley, L. (2005). A geração sanduíche: desafios e estratégias de enfrentamento de famílias multigeracionais. The Family Journal, 13(1), 52–58. DOI: 10.1177/10
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