Sandwich Generation Caregivers: Ethical Legacies Throughout Generations Sharon Z
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Doctoral Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects 2013 Sandwich Generation Caregivers: Ethical Legacies Throughout Generations Sharon Z. Marts [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/diss Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Marts, Sharon Z., "Sandwich Generation Caregivers: Ethical Legacies Throughout Generations" (2013). Doctoral Dissertations. 48. https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/48 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The University of San Francisco SANDWICH GENERATION CAREGIVERS: ETHICAL LEGACIES THROUGHOUT GENERATIONS A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Education Leadership Studies Department Organization and Leadership Program In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education By Sharon Z. Marts San Francisco May 2013 THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Dissertation Abstract Sandwich Generation Caregivers: Ethical Legacies Throughout Generations Research Topic This critical hermeneutic research study explores ethical meanings during a time of dual- generation care and how these interpretations may affect one’s view of family life across generations. The research participants in this study were adults situated between young children and dependent elders, who are also termed the “sandwich generation” (Brody 1981; Soldo 1996). By reexamining notions of self and others through narrative, one may see life anew from an ontological perspective not considered beforehand. Through narrative about moments of familial care, new understandings about personal meanings emerge which may or may not have changed over time. From this study’s conversations, participants came to see how carrying out an ethical life may be seen as part of a broader family legacy, influenced by their ethnic background, culture, faith tradition, or entirely new personal interpretations. Theory and Protocol Critical hermeneutic theory of Paul Ricoeur (1984; 1988; 1992; 2005) formed the basis of the theory applied to this study with emphasis upon areas related to temporality, ethics, and recognition. This field research followed an interpretive anthropological approach outlined by Herda (1999) that includes protocol for the study’s data analysis using three theoretical categories used to bring forth findings and implications. ii Research Categories In this study, guiding questions related to three critical hermeneutic categories brought forth data for analysis. The mimesis category fostered remembrances of the family from the past, as well as present actions, and future hopes. The theory area of ethical aim drew data about how one’s key ethics may influence actions of care, whether with children or elders. The final category, recognition, created or renewed the caregivers respect for their role, and that of others in society with a similar plight. Findings Caregivers recounted stories and were often unaware of the underlying ethics that informed their actions. The telling of their story with distance and proximity of their lived experience enabled the caregivers to reinterpret their own notion of a “good” life. The following findings came forth from participant conversations: (1) Caregiving often means retracing the past in the present; actions of care are part of a larger pattern a family passes on; (2) Caregivers may be able to move from overwhelmed to seeing new capabilities; and (3) Recognition and support for caregivers helps multi-generational families. Moments of dual-generation care may be challenging, yet may also render new interpretations of ethics that offer resilience in difficult times. iii This dissertation, written under the direction of the candidate’s dissertation committee and approved by the members of the committee, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. The content and research methodologies presented in this work represent the work of the candidate alone. Sharon Z. Marts___________________________________ 2/15/2013 Candidate Date Dissertation Committee Dr. Ellen A. Herda_________________________________ 2/15/2013 Chairperson Date Dr. Patricia Mitchell________________________________ 2/15/2013 Date Dr. Betty Taylor___________________________________ 2/15/2013 Date Dr. Maria Palmo___________________________________ 2/15/2013 Date iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE: STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE ................................................................ 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Issue ...................................................................................................... 2 Background and Significance of the Issue ...................................................................... 3 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 6 PART TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................................. 7 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 7 Family Structure .............................................................................................................. 7 The Sandwich Generation ........................................................................................... 9 Differing Cultures and Religious Views About Care ................................................... 10 Culture ....................................................................................................................... 10 Religion ..................................................................................................................... 12 The Role of the Caregiver ............................................................................................. 13 Meeting the Needs of the Sandwich Generation Worker .............................................. 15 Meanings During Care .................................................................................................. 16 Family Meanings ....................................................................................................... 17 Individual Meanings .................................................................................................. 18 Anthropology and Meanings ..................................................................................... 18 Critical Hermeneutic Literature ..................................................................................... 20 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 20 Mimesis ..................................................................................................................... 21 Ethical Aim ................................................................................................................ 22 Recognition ................................................................................................................ 24 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 24 PART THREE: RESEARCH THEORY AND PROTOCOL ................................... 25 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 25 Research Protocol .......................................................................................................... 25 Research Categories and Questions ........................................................................... 25 Data Collection .......................................................................................................... 26 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 28 Entrée to Research Site .............................................................................................. 29 Research Participants ................................................................................................. 29 Research Pilot Project ................................................................................................... 36 Implications ............................................................................................................... 36 Reflections of the Researcher .................................................................................... 37 Background of the Researcher ...................................................................................... 38 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 39 v CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION ...........................................................