The Sandwich Generation

　　Today people often look forward to their middle age as a time when they will be able to take things easier.After their children are grown, they expect to enjoy the life they have worked hard to create.____(1)____.In middle age, many people discover that they have two ongoing responsibilities1: one is to look after their aging parents,and the other is to help their young adult children deal with the pressures of life.Around the world, there are millions of people who are “sandwiched”in between the older and the younger generations.Sometimes there may be two or three generations living in the same household — a situation that is common in many Asian countries and in some parts of Europe.In other cases, a couple may be taking care of parents and children, but they do not live with them.

　　There are two important reasons for the rise of the sandwich generation.First, people are living longer than they used to.In the early nineteenth century, the average life expectancy for adults in the United States，for example，was about 40，whereas today people live to an average ageof 75.____(2)____.The second reason is that these days, young adults often live with their parents for a longer time than they did in the past.This is often for financial reasons.It's also more common for today's young adults to return home during or after college if they need financial or emotional support.2

　　____(3)____.They may have to cover expenses that their parents cannot.They may have to manage their parents'financial and legal affairs.They may have to prepare for their parents'future needs, such as special medical care or a move to a nursing home.This can be a traumatic experience for everyone.

　　Caring for adult children presents challenges as well, and caregivers have to resolve important questions;How can financial responsibilities be shared among members of the household? How can household chores be shared? What is the best way to ensure everyone's privacy? ____(4)____.

　　The financial and emotional pressures on the sandwich generation can be overwhelming.However, this time in life also has its rewards.____(5)____.It can also provide a valuable opportunity to spend more time with them.However, in order to survive this difficult period in their lives, the members of the sandwich generation must remember that they also need to pay attention to their own needs and look after the quality of their own lives.They can't be totally selfless.

　　词汇：

　　sandwich 三明治 life expectancy 预期寿命

　　traumatic 使人不快的 resolve 解决

　　overwhelming 令人难以应对的 selfless 无私的;不考虑自己的

　　注释：

　　1.two ongoing responsibilities意为“同时担负两项责任”。

　　2.It's also more common for today's young adults to return home during or after college if they need financial or emotional support.现在，年轻人在上大学期间或毕业后还会回家，以寻求经济或情感支持，这种情况也很常见。

　　3.Successfully coping with these issues can avoid a lot of stress for the whole family.：成功解决这些问题，就可以为整个家庭减轻很大负担。

　　练习：

　　A.Successfully coping with these issues can avoid a lot of stress for the whole family.3

　　B.Therefore, children are taking care of their parents over a longer period of time.

　　C.People who take care of elderly parents often face difficult issues.

　　D.Young adults feel sandwiched between their financial responsibilities and their desire to enjoy life.

　　E.However the reality is often very different.

　　F.It can be a time to rediscover the special qualities of one's parents or children.

　　答案与题解：

　　1.E 根据本空的上一句：孩子们长大了，中年人期望有时间享受努力工作创造的生活，但是现实却不允许;所以后一句论证为什么会这样，即中年人因为上有老、下有小，所以不能无忧无虑地享受生活。

　　2.B 依据上一句：19世纪早期，美国人的平均寿命在40岁左右，而现在人们通常能活到75岁。人们寿命延长的结果是：孩子要照顾父母的时间也相应延长了。
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