Communication Experiences of Sandwich Generation Women in Undertaking Multiple Roles in the Family

Women are often faced with multiple roles within the family, including as wives, mothers, children, and individuals who contribute to the household economy. In the Indonesian cultural context, the sandwich generation phenomenon is reflected in the position of women who are often faced with dual roles, not only being responsible for children but also continuing to care for elderly parents. These roles often cause emotional, financial, and physical stress. This study aims to describe the communication experiences of sandwich generation women in Kupang City in carrying out dual roles in multigenerational families. The research method used is qualitative with Alfred Schutz’s phenomenological approach through in-depth interviews. The results show that the communication experiences of sandwich generation women in Kupang City face multigenerational responsibilities. Through daily communication, they strive to balance various roles while building a shared understanding of every family decision. Based on Alfred Schutz’s phenomenological perspective, two types of motives were found in carrying out dual roles: the because motive, which is rooted in past experiences, moral responsibility, and the family’s economic condition, and the in order to motive, which is oriented towards long-term goals such as creating economic stability and family welfare. These two motives are influenced by a stock of knowledge encompassing life experiences, cultural values, and religious teachings, which together shape the reflective awareness of sandwich generation women in facing the social and economic demands of multigenerational families. Future research could explore the communication conflicts sandwich generation women experience in navigating their dual roles.