Central Policy Unit the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

CENTRAL POLICY UNIT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

A STUDY ON UNDERSTANDING

OUR YOUNG GENERATION

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

FEBRUARY 2011

A Study on Understanding our Young Generation

Final Report

Professor Paul Siu Fai YIP (Principal Investigator)

Dr Paul Wai Ching WONG (Co‐Investigator)

Ms Frances Yik Wa LAW (Co‐Investigator)

Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and

Dr King‐wa FU (Co‐Investigator) Journalism and Media Studies Centre

The University of Hong Kong

Commissioned by

Central Policy Unit The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Disclaimer

Any information herein or any portion of the information herein may NOT be quoted, re‐ produced, duplicated, copied, sold, or otherwise exploited for any purpose without the ex‐ press permission of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of The Uni‐ versity of Hong Kong.

A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government for providing data and the Social Science Research Centre (SSRC) of The University of Hong Kong for its assistance recruiting participants for the telephone and online surveys. We also wish to acknowledge the significant contribution of our post‐80s young research assistants: Ms Sophia G. Chak, Mr Gary Ip, Mr Rickey Yau, and Mr Jonathan Yeung. Their sincere ide‐ as and dedicated hard work certainly make this report outstandingly representative.

Last but not least, we wish to appreciate the contributions of all the focus‐group participants and individual interviewees who were willing to spare their free time to contribute genuine and useful information. Their input has made this report fruitful, complete, and successful.

A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... i Introduction ...... 1 Literature Review...... 2 Media Portrayal of the “Post‐80s” – A Brief Review...... 11 Study Framework ...... 14 Methods...... 15 Results: Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile...... 18 Results: Focus‐group Studies ...... 34 Results: Telephone and Online Survey...... 43 Results: Semi‐structured Interviews ...... 79 Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 87 References ...... 93 Research Team...... 99 Appendix A...... 100 Appendix B ...... 112 Appendix C...... 114 Appendix D...... 124

A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Executive Summary

Youth protests against the construction of the Guangzhou‐Shenzhen‐Hong Kong express rail link have raised widespread attention and concern in our community. The media has adopted various terms—such as “post‐80s”, “the 4th generation”, “digital natives”, “the net generation”, and “generation Y”—for this young generation (i.e., the young geners).

The objective of this research study is to assess and understand the young generation’s needs, views, and frustrations. Over eight months, this study used various research ap‐ proaches to expand our understanding of the younger generation. We conducted a media content analysis and a literature review, which served as a platform to understand the young generation from both global and local perspectives. We then collected in‐depth in‐ formation via four studies: (i) a demographic and socioeconomic profile study, (ii) focus group studies, (iii) telephone and online surveys, and (iv) semi‐structured interviews. We categorized the findings of these studies into three major dimensions: (a) psycho‐ socioeconomic, (b) communication use, and (c) civic/community involvement.

Media Content Analysis

Major media content in Hong Kong—including newspapers and magazines—were searched between Jan 1 and Feb 28, 2010 using keywords “80 後” and “post‐80s”. A total of 1,996 arti‐ cles were identified (1,894 Chinese articles and 102 English articles). Although the media portrays a wide range of public views towards the young generation and its character and attitudes, articles generally portray the younger generation as highly educated, but with a relatively low median income. That makes it seem impossible for them to purchase their own property, which has become one of the major obstacles in their future, especially for family planning. The articles also point out that this generation is unique in that they are educated in the common values of fairness and justice in society, rather than just earning money. Also, the media reported that one of the core reasons behind the recent demonstra‐ tions was the government’s failure to listen objectively to their views.

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Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile

Data collected from the Census and Statistics Department shows that the young generation accounted for 20.24% of the entire Hong Kong population in 2009. The educational attain‐ ment of this cohort was higher than older generations; however, their median income was lower. Media accounts have talked about this finding. Statistics have also showed that youth aged 15‐19 are increasingly working in the fields of wholesale, retail, import/export trading, restaurants, and hotels since 2001.

Focus Group Studies

Six focus groups were conducted with 46 young geners aged 18‐29. Their opinions and views were collected. Unlike some descriptions from the media, participants were consid‐ erably energetic, passionate about life, and well‐educated. Even though they sometimes feel frustrated about facing a glass ceiling, they have strong passion towards their career. Most surprisingly, the focus groups expressed their deep concern about the development of their home, their neighbourhood, their city—Hong Kong, China. They have felt ignored and have grievances about the current mode of civic engagement. They want the government to ad‐ dress their needs. They want to be listened to sincerely and genuinely.

Telephone Interview and Online Survey

The main study consists of two parts: (Part 1) a telephone interview and (Part 2) an online survey. The main study confirmed the prior qualitative findings about their needs and aspi‐ rations. The question set was generated in accordance with the three main study dimensions. A total of 1,020 randomized mobile users aged 15 to 29 participated in the telephone inter‐ view, and 328 participants completed the online survey.

Respondents were well‐educated, and their incomes mostly ranged between HK$6,000 and HK$14,000. Respondents described difficulties with job promotion and agreed that further education may help. Many have considered furthering their education in the future. Young geners are not very absorbed in their current work, perhaps because their work does not in‐ trinsically motivate or inspire them; however, most of them work more than 41 hours a week.

Respondents still hold fairly strong traditional family values and a high percentage intend to get married. In addition, data revealed that young people have strong housing aspirations, and living close to their family is a key concern for them.

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Regarding civic engagement, those who voted in the 2008 LegCo election have drifted from the political party they voted for. Over 50% have no favourable candidate or party in the 2012 LegCo election. Although the results of this study do not focus on attitudes towards the acceptability of the violent behaviours of the demonstrations, there is indirect evidence in the finding that close to 50% of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “the law should always be obeyed even if a particular law is wrong”. Media use on the Internet and on mobile devices is getting very popular. Over 60% of respondents ac‐ quire information online, send or receive SMSs, and use other forms of instant text messag‐ ing at least once a day.

Semi‐structured Interviews

Using purposive sampling, twenty interviewees (aged 18‐29) were invited to express their views and aspirations towards the three dimensions and their fourteen sub‐themes devel‐ oped in this study in a one‐hour face‐to‐face interview. This provided more data to follow up with preliminary results from the focus groups and survey studies.

Findings demonstrated that the rise in the young generation’s education level has not in‐ creased job promotion. The rise in education has even leads to some difficulties, especially for clerks, service workers, and shop salespeople. Almost all have considered furthering their education in order to stay competitive in the work field. They consider their preference for outdoor activities during leisure time a sign that they are mentally healthy.

In terms of financial management, interviewees do not prefer to spend much money shop‐ ping. They prefer instead to spend money on travelling and investments (e.g. stocks, funds, and bonds). Some said they purchase clothing online because prices are usually cheaper. They are upset about government‐developer shields to luxurious flats, and this hinders their confidence in being able to purchase a home in the future and presents a barrier to their plans to start families.

When talking about how to increase youth civic engagement, some participants said the government’s form of communication is rather conservative: emails and phone calls are lim‐ ited in their ability to collect the young generation’s views. Face‐to‐face meetings were not very appealing to them, especially when the meetings are not very interactive.

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Recommendations

Findings proved that young geners are looking for “space”. A tangible plan is needed to create more recreation space—including social, mental, physical, and environmental recrea‐ tion—as an investment in our young generation.

The seriousness of their education aspiration should be met by the support from the gov‐ ernment. It is crucial to increase the number of institutions allowing University Grants Committee (UGC)‐funded degrees. More vocational training should be made available for the young generation to boost world competitiveness. It is also recommended to lengthen the repayment period and/or reduce the interest rate of Student Grant Loans.

The government should initiate and promote working environments that encourage healthy work‐life balance. Employees should be encouraged to leave work on time, though with oc‐ casional overtime. They should also be allowed to work from home sometimes for better job flexibility. Miso‐affluence views show their concern for high housing prices, which are a cause of grievances. A people‐oriented home purchasing plan with a predictable timeline of homeownership has to be reviewed regularly. Because young geners still maintain strong family values, they still see owning a flat/house as necessary step in forming a family. Also, more accessible public spaces should be opened for leisure meetings and activities.

Our young generation is very net‐savvy. Freedom of speech is one of their core values, and they exercise it with the world via online platforms like Facebook, blogs, SMS, email, and online newspapers. A bi‐modal approach including top‐down and bottom‐up agenda—but with genuine consultation across the community—will promote youth engagement.

Not only is the youth the future; THEY’RE NOW. They are an important barometer of gov‐ ernment performance and an indicator of how much the community accepts policies. People from other generations should try to remove their pride and prejudice towards the younger generation and replace it with acceptance and tolerance. Beginning in earnest with the young generation is the best way to make progress. They are the best insurance for the fu‐ ture of Hong Kong.

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內容摘要

2010年初，年青一代反對興建廣深高速鐵路香港段(簡稱高鐵)的激烈示威行動，引起了社會對事件的廣泛關注，媒體紛紛以「八十後」、「第四代香港人」、「數碼網民」、「網絡世代」和「Y世代」等詞彙界定這批新一代年青人(我們稱之為「年青一代」)。

本研究之目的，正是要評估及了解香港年青一代的需要、對社會的看法以及所面對的困難。在歷時八個月的研究裡，我們採取了不同手法擴闊大家對年青一代的理解。首先進行的是媒體內容分析與文獻回顧，這可作為了解全球及本地年青人狀況的知識基礎，然後我們再通過四大途徑收集進一步資料，包括「人口統計及社會經濟數據」、「聚焦小組研究」、「電話及網上調查」和「半結構性訪談」。最後，這些研究結果分成了三類，分別為「心理社會經濟」、「通訊使用」及「公共／社區參與」。

媒體內容分析

研究人員就坊間主要報章雜誌資料進行搜尋，採用關鍵字為「80後」及「post‐80s」，搜尋範圍定於2010年1月1日至2月28日，共搜出1,996篇文章，其中1,894篇為中文報導，102篇為英文報導。雖然各大媒體所描繪對年青一代的特質和態度的公眾輿論很廣泛，相同的是，這一代普遍都被視為學歷偏高，但入息中位數偏低。因此，對他們來說，置業幾乎是不可能的事，這將成為他們計畫將來及成家立室的主要障礙之一。值得探討的是，這一代的獨一無二之處，在於他們所接受的教育裡，平等和社會公義這些共有價值比個人財富更為重要。而就報導所見，年青一代上街示威的其中一個重要原因，是政府並沒有客觀聆聽他們的想法

人口統計及社會經濟數據

根據政府統計處資料，在2009年，年青一代佔本港總人口20.24%。和過去的資料相比，這一代的教育水平比他們的前輩高，可是收入中位數卻比他們低。數據又顯示，2001年至今，愈來愈多15‐19歲年青人加入批發、零售、出入口貿易、餐飲及酒店業行列。

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聚焦小組研究

共46位年青人參與了六個聚焦小組，他們的年齡介乎18‐29歲。研究人員在過程中收集他們的意見和看法，發現這群年青人精力充沛、享受生活、教育程度高，顯然與部份媒體描述的狀況有所不同。雖然在工作升遷上遇到無形阻力，有時亦因此而感到沮喪，可是這群年青人對事業仍是充滿激情的。最令人印象深刻的是，這群年青人對他們的家、他們的城市、他們的毗鄰 ──香港和中國，懷著一份非常深切的熱愛，且十分關注其發展。他們感到自己是被忽視的一群，並對現行的公共參與制度相當不滿。他們要求政府正視其需要，認為大家都必須用心聆聽彼此的聲音。

電話訪問及網上調查

研究主體包括兩部份，第一部份為電話訪問，第二部份為網上調查，以先前收集到的「質化」資料為基礎，進一步了解年青一代的需要和志向。問卷內容圍繞三大主要研究範疇，調查員隨機抽樣訪問了 1,020 位 15‐29 歲流動電話用戶，另有 328 位回應者完成了第二部份的網上調查問卷。

回應者教育程度良好，月入介乎 HK$6,000 至 HK$14,000。他們表述了升遷困難的狀況，並認同持續升學有助於升遷，有考慮過進修增值。調查亦發現年青一代對所從事之工作投入感並不高，原因可能是工作本質缺乏推動性或激勵性，可是大部份人每週工時均超過 41 小時。

這群年青人相當重視傳統家庭價值，大部份稱會結婚。此外，資料亦反映了他們強烈的住屋需要及期望，計劃置業之時，他們的最大考慮是是否住近家人。

在公共參與方面，曾於 2008 年立法會選舉中投票的年青人，對所投政黨的支持度有所變化，超過 50%稱未知在 2012 年的立法會選舉中會支持哪位人選或哪個政黨。雖然研究並非集中研究為何年青人會接受示威期間的激烈行動，但以下調查結果或可間接反映出他們的態度──近 50%回應者就「即使某條法例是錯的，仍該遵守法律」這句子表示「不同意」或「強烈不同意」。另一方面，使用互聯網與流動器材作為資訊交流媒體的人愈來愈多，逾 60%年青人每天至少一次從網上、收發手機短訊或其他即時文字訊息獲取資訊。

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半結構性訪談

研究人員對聚焦小組及問卷調查之研究結果進行初步評估之後，採用立意抽樣的方式，邀請了二十名介乎 18‐29 歲的年青人參加歷時一小時的會談，以表達他們對三大研究範疇下十四項副題的觀點和想法。結果可從聚焦小組及電話和網上調查的初步結果提供更多資料。

訪談結果顯示，年青一代教育水平的提高對工作升遷並無幫助，令人感到前無去路，這於「文員、服務人員及店舖零售人員」族群尤其顯著。幾乎所有受訪者都考慮過進修，以求在工作行業裡保持競爭力。他們認為自己精神健康良好，譬如閒暇時較喜歡戶外活動。

在財務管理方面，受訪者表示不喜歡消費購物，寧願把金錢花在旅遊及其他投資之上(例如股票、基金及債券)。有受訪者補充說會上網購買衣物，因價錢通常較便宜。此外，他們亦對政府與發展商的豪宅政策感到不滿，認為此舉打擊了他們置業的信心，成為成家立室一大障礙。

至於如何在公共參與上加強年青人的角色，有受訪者指出，現時政府與市民之間的溝通方式十分保守，面向年青一代，只靠電郵與電話是不足夠收集他們的意見。而與高官對談也並不吸引，因為在這種聚會裡，根本就不會有充足的交流。

建議

研究結果顯示，我們這代年青人尋求的是「空間」。實質的解決方法，就是給予他們空間，無論社交上、精神上、物質上還是環境上，也要為他們創造或再造更多空間，這是絕對值得投資的。

這種長遠的培育非常重要，亦有賴政府的支持配合。為了協助年青人提高競爭力，教資會資助學位數目必須增加，政府亦應為年青一代提供更多職業訓練機會，這有助於他們適應真實世界的競爭。此外，有關當局亦可考慮延長學生貸款的還款期，或調低貸款利息。

健康平衡的工作生活模式，可由政府帶頭推動和宣傳，例如盡量讓職員準時下班，或間中容許他們在家中工作，令工作時間更有彈性。社會的仇富情緒源自樓價高企，政府必須盡快推行一套以民為本的住屋計劃，適時修訂，並應於不久的將來見到成果。須明白我們的年青一代重視家庭，住屋對成家立室的確十分重要，這是無可置疑的。此外，政府亦應開放更多公共空間，讓年青一代有足夠的地方聚會和活動。

我們的年青一代是互聯網專家，言論自由就是他們的核心價值，透過網上平台如 Facebook、網誌、短訊、電郵或網上報章，他們可以跟世界各地的人溝通交流。若想接觸這群年青人的想法，不妨採取一套雙向的互動模式，由上而下兼由下而上，向公眾進行真正的咨詢。

年青人不只是我們的未來，也是現在，他們是政府的監察者，也是社會政策接受程度的指標。無論你是六十後、五十後或是其他年代的人，是時候拋開傲慢與偏見，換上接納和容忍。真心的對待年青新一代將會是雙贏的，投資在他們身上, 是我們最佳的保險。

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Introduction

The increased civic and political activities of Hong Kong youth—especially over the con‐ struction of the express rail link to Guangzhou since Jan 8, 2010—has brought public atten‐ tion to Hong Kong’s new generation. Terms like “post‐80s”, “the 4th Generation” (Lui, 2007), “Digital Natives” (Prensky, 2001), “the Net Generation” (Tapscott, 1997), and “Generation Y” have become fashionable in the mass media during social discussions of the new genera‐ tion, particularly as its frustrations have turned into agitation against the government and LegCo of the HKSAR.

While attending the Legislative Council question‐and‐answer session on 14th Jan 2010, Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang recognized the urgency in understanding the views and needs of young people in Hong Kong, saying “we do need to learn more about our young people, to listen to them and understand their ideas and aspirations, and their expectations of the community and the government. We need to [understand] their disappointment and dissat‐ isfaction too”. In mid‐April, a survey published by the Hong Kong Institute of Asia‐Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong reported 25.9% of young respondents agreed with the use of radical means to urge the government to respond to their demands. Even though the picture suggested by this finding has yet to be confirmed, the ignition of social concerns demonstrates the widespread popular acceptance of this picture, as well as the need to debunk any myths surrounding it. The young generation’s views and needs have yet to be heard, especially in policy formulation and decision‐making.

Some commentators suggested these events were “a sharp reminder that the government has to be alert to the community’s grievances and to its perception of social injustice” (Ng & Cheung, 2010). It is very important to have a holistic understanding of their concerns. The proposed study is an attempt to help the government understand the concerns of our youth and improve communication and engagement between them and policy‐makers.

This study is a series of empirical and evidence‐based investigations, all attempting to de‐ scribe this cohort in systematic and contextualized ways. We must stress that the primary goal of this study is not merely to identify various needs, views, frustrations, or features of this cohort, but also, more ambitiously, to examine a broader scope of concerns from various macro‐level perspectives—for example, the social, economic, cultural, and political forces underlying recent youth behaviour. In addition, the micro‐level understanding of some in‐ dividuals’ experiences can help confirm and extend this broad picture.

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Literature Review

Introduction

The life experiences of young people in modern societies have changed quite significantly from earlier generations (Beck, 2009). These changes cut across social relationships, educa‐ tion, the labour market, leisure, lifestyles, and the ability to become established as inde‐ pendent young adults (Resnick, 2005). Many of these changes are a direct result of the re‐ structuring of labour markets, of an increased demand for educated workers, of flexible em‐ ployment practices, and of social policies that have extended the period in which young people today have to negotiate a set of “risks” that were largely unknown to their parents (Beck, 2009).

Moreover, because many of these changes have happened within a relatively short period of time—since the 1980s—the paths that had helped smooth the processes of social reproduc‐ tion have become obscure (Furlong, Campbell, & Roberts, 1990). This increased uncertainty can be a source of stress and vulnerability for the young geners. Moreover, these uncertain‐ ties have brought out stress in the older generation because many of them do not know how to provide for the new generation (Beck, 2001, 2009).

Labour force and unemployment among young people

Studies looking at young people and social change have multiplied in the past few decades (United Nations, 2007). Generally speaking, scholars and policy‐makers have studied the effects of social changes from agricultural to industrial to post‐industrial society and global‐ ization on young people’s educational opportunities, labour market participation, depend‐ ency, leisure, lifestyle, health, and political participation.

According to the International Labour Office, both labour force participation rates and em‐ ployment‐to‐population ratios declined from 1998 to 2008. This is partially because more young people are in the education system. However, even among employable youth, unem‐ ployment rates were much higher than previous generations of the youth. The World Youth Report 2007 – Young People’s Transition to Adulthood: Challenges and Opportunities, prepared by the United Nations (2007), reported that, in 2005, 55.7% (353 million) of the global youth la‐ bour force were lived in Asia. Particularly in East Asia, the unemployment problem is more prominent for young females than young males (International Labour Office, 2010).

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Although many young people across Asia are now better prepared than ever to enter the workforce, a large proportion is still unable to find employment. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, youth are five times more likely than older workers to be unemployed and are al‐ most three times more likely to be unemployed than adults (United Nations, 2007). In all regions, the reported youth unemployment rates probably understate the seriousness of the problem because they do not count underemployment and poverty in youth that do hold jobs (International Labour Office, 2010).

Hong Kong has 1,418,200 youth aged 15‐29—20% of the total population (Census and Statis‐ tics Department, 2010a). Nearly 35% of this population is receiving formal education; how‐ ever, youth face very high unemployment rates. The 2010 unemployment rates (July – Sept) for the 15‐19 and 20‐24 age groups are 21.7% and 13.6%, respectively, while the general population rate during the same period is only 4.4% (Census and Statistics Department, 2010b).

Education and career prospects for young people

Among the most important factors that will influence whether Asian economies will con‐ tinue to benefit from their sizeable youth population is how much of an opportunity youth have to develop their potential through education, decent employment opportunities, and adequate health care (United Nations, 2007). Access to education has been expanded in many parts of Asia, but the gains are most noticeable in primary school. Despite progress at the primary level, investment and enrolment rates still lag in secondary and higher educa‐ tion. This situation is worrisome because the global labour market is increasingly seeing sec‐ ondary education as the lowest level of schooling required for employment (United Nations, 2007).

Income mobility in Hong Kong has not improved much over the past decade. Although 42% of the bottom quintile of the earning distribution in 1996 had successfully moved up to a higher level, the rest of the group remained in the lowest level (Vere, 2006). Most impor‐ tantly, education is key to increasing upward social mobility and preventing downward so‐ cial mobility. Although education is crucial to upward mobility, Lui (2009) argued that young people in Hong Kong—particularly those from middle‐class families—suffer under heavy pressure to achieve academically in a highly competitive system. Thus, many stu‐ dents might not truly benefit from education. Children who do not fit into this competitive system simply might not be able to move up in society through other channels.

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups conducted a telephone survey of youth (aged 15‐24) attitudes on a number of social phenomena. Interestingly, 48% respondents were dis‐ satisfied with their prospects of upward social mobility in Hong Kong society. This is nearly double the number from the 2007 survey (Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, 2010).

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The survey showed that youth dissatisfaction was on the rise. The percentage of youth dis‐ satisfied with their quality of life increased from 14% to 25% since 2007. And the percentage dissatisfied with their opportunities for further education increased from 15% to 32%. Ap‐ parently, young people feel there are more constraints on their social mobility, quality of life, and further education than a few years ago.

Unemployment and its psychosocial impact on young people

Prolonged unemployment is known to be associated with depression, anxiety, low self‐ esteem, and poor health among youth (Bjarnason & Sigurdardottir, 2003; Hammarstrom & Janlert, 1997; Mossakowski, 2009). Unemployed youth often engage in self‐destructive be‐ haviours, such as substance abuse (Hammer, 1992). Family support is thought to be one of the most important protective factors for unemployed youth. International studies have found that unemployed youth experience less psychological distress if they have adequate parental support (Hendry & Raymond, 1986). Social support is also seen as a protective fac‐ tor, although it is more significant among young females than males (Hammer, 1993). Bjar‐ nason and Sigurdardottir (2003) further suggested that males who suffer the added burden of traditional gender expectations suffer more distress during unemployment. It is impor‐ tant to understand the impact of unemployment on local young people, particularly males who are unemployed during Hong Kong’s economic transition (Yip & Caine, 2010).

Family formation, housing needs, and independence

Considerable evidence shows that modern young people are becoming independent from their parents at an older age than previous generations (Beck, 2009). They tend to spend more time on education and start families later (Ward, 2006). Some have suggested that lengthy education and training are not a major reason why young people are continuing to live at home. Instead, the scarcity of economic opportunities may be the key reason (Resnick, 2005). Perhaps the difficulty of having their own living space is another important hurdle to financial independence for young people in Hong Kong. Youth consider it important to have affordable and safe private housing before they consider themselves grown up. Re‐ search in Western countries has shown that homeownership and family formation are close‐ ly and positively connected (Mulder, 2006). Researchers have suggested that in countries with low fertility, high homeownership, and high real estate prices (e.g., Spain, Italy, and Greece), the cost of homeownership makes it difficult for young people to form families and raise children (Ineichen, 1981; Mulder, 2006). In Hong Kong, young geners seem to face a number of obstacles in the transition into an independent adult life, including a highly com‐ petitive education system, few job opportunities, limited opportunities for continuing edu‐ cation, and a lack of affordable housing. It is important to find feasible ways to address to the whole range of factors reducing young people’s quality of life. Homeownership is im‐

4 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report portant to them, but it is important to stress that they are NOT looking for homeownership per se, but rather a decent living arrangement that can meet their needs. Renting is an ac‐ ceptable option, but it should be affordable.

Globalization and its impact on young people’s worldviews

One of the most interesting features of the recent major social change in many developed societies is the shift from traditional values to a new values system: post‐materialism. The sociological theory of post‐materialism was developed in the 1970s by Inglehart (1995, 2000). After about four decades of research, Inglehart postulated that the Western societies in his studies were undergoing a transformation of individual values, switching from materialist values of economic and physical security to a new set of post‐materialist values of autonomy and self‐expression.

Inglehart (2000) argued that rising prosperity was gradually liberating people in advanced industrial societies from the stress of basic materialistic needs. Inglehart speculated that this transformation was not life‐cycle change (the idea that people become more materialistic as they age), but a genuine example of intergenerational value change (Inglehart & Baker, 2000). Inglehart assumed that individuals pursue various goals in more or less a hierarchical order. While people may universally aspire to freedom and autonomy, they have to first satisfy the most pressing material needs like hunger, thirst, and physical security, since they are neces‐ sary for survival (this hierarchy of needs was originally proposed by Maslow). After basic needs are satisfied, the focus will gradually shift to non‐material needs, such as self‐esteem and self‐actualization (Maslow, 1948).

Although the validity, stability, and causal picture of post‐materialism theory has been de‐ bated, Inglehart’s worldwide longitudinal World Values Survey 1 has documented the world’s changing values. According to the 2000 World Values Survey, the highest percent‐ age of post‐materialists was in Australia (35%), followed by Austria (30%), Canada (29%), Italy (28%), Argentina (25%), the United States (25%), Sweden (22%), the Netherlands (22%), and Puerto Rico (22%; Inglehart, 2010). Although Hong Kong participated in the 2005 World Value Survey, and the basic results of the survey are posted on the website (www.worldvaluessurvey.org), detailed analysis and results are unavailable.

Subjective well‐being (SWB), life satisfaction, and happiness in changing societies

Another emerging research interest in the modernized world is the study of subjective well‐ being and happiness. Life satisfaction is a global cognitive judgment of one’s life, and it is

1 The World Values Survey has been carried out in five waves of surveys from 1981 to 2007 in scores of countries that cover almost 90% of the world’s population.

5 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report one of the most frequently used indicators of subjective well‐being (Inglehart, 1995, 2000). Happiness is another indicator of subjective well‐being indicator, and it focuses on positive emotions. It correlates with life satisfaction, but it is conceptually different—it is more about people’s emotional states and is more sensitive to sudden changes in mood (Diener, 2000).

Researchers first believed that happiness was more or less fixed, so neither individuals nor societies could increase their long‐term happiness. For example, Diener and colleagues (Di‐ ener, 1984, 2000; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985; Suh, Diener, & Fujita, 1996) stud‐ ied subjective well‐being over time in France, Japan, and the United States, and they found no significant change in well‐being despite tremendous economic growth. Prominent psy‐ chologists found that subjective well‐being and personality traits emerge early in life, are fairly stable over time, and have a moderate to strong genetic component (Diener, Oishi, & Lucas, 2003; Lucas, Clark, Georgellis, & Diener, 2003). But Inglehart argues that the in‐ creased wealth of modern Western nations did not increase happiness because wealth has fundamentally re‐organized the way citizens achieve happiness. Inglehart and colleagues (2008) found that, across the entire world, richer countries tend to be happier than poorer countries, so wealth seems to make people happier. But once wealth crosses a certain threshold, more money does not seem to make a difference. This can be seen as a sign that materialist concerns become less important after people achieve basic affluence.

What contributes to life satisfaction in China and Hong Kong

Similar studies have in China and Hong Kong have revealed interesting findings. Brock‐ mann and colleagues (2009) found that happiness in China dropped from 1990–2000, despite exponential improvement in material living standards. This finding contradicts the theory that income growth for people who have not yet achieved material wealth will increase happiness. They postulated that this pattern could be explained by China’s top‐heavy in‐ come inequality. Even though they are making more money, the gap between the average person and the wealthy turns people into ‘frustrated achievers’. In a fast‐paced society, fi‐ nancial dissatisfaction may be the strongest depressor of subjective well‐being (Brockmann et al., 2009).

A similar pattern has also been found in Hong Kong. Wong and colleagues (2006) found that Hong Kongers are not as satisfied with life despite a comparatively high national average income level. One reason for Hong Kong’s dissatisfaction is the high level of income ine‐ quality. Wong and colleagues also tested correlations between social political variables and life satisfaction, and they found that perception of the severity of social problems and per‐ ception of adequacy of social mobility were related to lower life satisfaction. The other two social variables—perception of social problems as socially caused and satisfaction with gov‐

6 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report ernance—were not significantly related to life satisfaction. In addition, they found that per‐ sonal characteristics (age, self‐perceived class status, and household income) had the largest relationship with life satisfaction. Other personal characteristics (gender, marital status, edu‐ cation levels, and homeownership) did not have significant relationships with life satisfac‐ tion.

Political Engagement and new media use

The vast development of information technology and rise in Internet use have changed the Hong Kong’s young people communicate and participate in political and civic discourse. Hong Kong is top‐ranked among developed societies for its use of information technology (International Telecommunication Union, 2009). Hong Kong has high rates of personal com‐ puter ownership and Internet connection (Census and Statistics Department, 2010). Accord‐ ing to Census data, 76% of Hong Kong households have personal computers, and 97% of these computers are connected to the Internet. Moreover, Hong Kongers are also known to be sophisticated users of social media or so‐called “Web 2.0” applications. A 2010 survey found that high proportions of 20‐29‐year‐olds in Hong Kong use Web 2.0 applications: 23% blog, 33% update/maintain profiles on social networking sites, and 26% contribute to online forum/discussion groups—all in the past month (Synovate, 2010).

Enabling political participation via new media

Because the Internet allows for the rapid dissemination of information and is robust, interac‐ tive, and globally borderless, it is seen as a major ingredient for citizen participation in the new political world, which is usually anchored within the boundaries of democracy and/or traditional party politics (Sparks, 2001). With the development of social media, citizens are able to express their opinions on a wider range of platforms, by writing on or replying to personal blogs or online BBS, re‐twittering others’ messages, or using social networking sites. These ways of online participation are new ways of enriching political discussion and socie‐ tal debates, increasing diversity of opinions, and promoting pluralism (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, 2007).

This line of thought underlies an argument that online political participants are no longer passively receiving political information and knowledge; instead, they new media is ena‐ bling them to be active agents, initiators, and contributors to political discussion. These new ways of active involvement can facilitate political participation, in principle regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, or gender. New modes of political involvement could also challenge the dominant model of the public opinion formation, which is usually set by the mainstream mass media, government, political parties, and social elites. Consequently, new

7 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report media can give people more channels to express their personal interest and their views to‐ wards social issues. This message is particularly profound at a time of declining voting rates and interest in politics in many democratic societies. Many people have high hope that the Internet can encourage the younger generation to learn civic engagement (Dahlgren, 2007).

Youth, political engagement, and new media

The Internet and emerging media have been recognized as ways to unprecedentedly in‐ crease youth involvement in the process of public decision making (Dahlgren & Olsson, 2008; Montgomery & Gottlieb‐Robles, 2006). In a 2008 telephone survey of American youth aged 18‐24, about one in every six respondents said they had taken part in two or more civic or political activities in the past 12 months (Smith, Schlozman, Verba, & Brady, 2009). Al‐ though this report only considered political blogging and political use of social networking sites, it concluded, “What is most unambiguous is that posting material about political or social issues on the Web and using social networking sites politically are forms of online en‐ gagement that are dominated by the young—especially the youngest adults” (Smith et al., 2009, p. 50).

Another major area of concern in online political engagement is the social role of new media in constructing identity, citizenship, and individuality during the life course of young gen‐ eration (Vinken, 2007). As Dahlgren and Olsson put it (2008, p. 496), many young people in modern societies spend a lot of time and energy on “identity work”, meaning “they are en‐ gaged in formulating who they are, what life goals they want to strive for, what their voca‐ tional calling will be”. The Internet is able to offer multiple virtual platforms and networks to establish belonging to social groups, build personal identities, and discover their social position and meaning with their peers, communities, and society at large.

Different views

Some empirical findings, at least in the United States, suggest that people are too optimistic in thinking the Internet will be a solution to falling interest in politics and deliberative de‐ mocracy (Hindman, 2009; Smith et al., 2009). For example, Smith and colleagues (2009, p. 3) argue “the Internet is not changing the fundamental socioeconomic character of civic en‐ gagement in America. When it comes to online activities such as contributing money, con‐ tacting a government official or signing an online petition, the wealthy and well‐educated continue to lead the way”. Dahlgren (2009, p. 7) notes that “[the newer Information Tech‐ nology and Communications] are contributing to a reconfiguration of political life – though it is still unclear if this will be sufficient to reconstruct democracy”.

8 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Another shortcoming of the overly optimistic attitude towards the societal effects of the In‐ ternet is the notion that too much emphasis is put on technology, but not on the broader so‐ ciocultural and political contexts. This overemphasis on a single factor invites criticisms, like “naïve Internet‐optimism” (Laer & Aelst, 2010, p. 248) or technological determinism.

Researching political engagement and new media

International and local studies consistently find that the young generation depends heavily on the Internet for learning, social activities, and leisure (City University of Hong Kong, 2009; Jones & Fox, 2009). This young cohort is perceived, usually by the older adults, as lack‐ ing self‐regulation and more susceptible to the influence of mass media (Strasburger, Wilson, & Jordan, 2009). But many scholars argue that emphasizing the negative impact of media is unfounded theoretically, empirically, and in terms of public policy (Livingstone, 2009). The widespread public obsession with the negative effect of media—called “moral panic” or “media panic”—has caused considerable social anxiety over young people’s online activities and dominated public debate. The result is that it has directed research attention dispropor‐ tionately to studying the negative effects of emerging media, with examples like online vio‐ lence, Internet suicide (Fu, Wong, & Yip, 2009), Internet addiction (Fu, Chan, Wong, & Yip, 2010), and cyber bullying (Chau & Xu, 2007). But there has been relatively little research on the opportunities to be gained with new media and its pro‐social impacts (Montgomery & Gottlieb‐Robles, 2006). One example of potential beneficial impacts is the opportunity for young generation’s democratic involvement.

There is still limited research about youth online political engagement in Hong Kong. Recent incidents, like the protests against the LegCo approval of funding for the express rail link (Jan 2010) and the 2012 political reform proposal (Jun 2010), have triggered much discussion about young people’s involvement in social issues and political debate, much of which was reportedly mobilized through the Internet (Lai, 2009). One of the major concerns of this study is how young people’s socioeconomic background, psychosocial factors, media use, and other underlying contextual factors shape their political engagement.

Summary of the literature review

The literature review has provided an overview of some of the major issues that our young geners are facing in the modern era. There are many reasons why there is a pressing need to understand our young geners: the increasing minimum age to leave the education system, the increasing requirements of education and skills in the competitive labour market, the older age of independency and family formation, the worldwide emerging trend away from the stress of basic materialistic needs to the new aspirations for freedom, autonomy, and life

9 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report satisfaction, the exponential growth of new media, the World Wide Web, and the Internet. All of these influence how people engage with society.

10 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Media Portrayal of the “Post‐80s” – A Brief Review

The term “post‐80s” (80 後) has been used widely in the Hong Kong media since the anti‐ express railway movement started in the end of 2009. That sparked a wide‐ranging discus‐ sion and differing portrayals of the young generation. This chapter reports a content analy‐ sis of how these news articles are portraying youth in Hong Kong.

This study has three objectives. First, we aim to understand how the media is portraying the post‐80s. Second, we develop a system of coding the text of the articles to validate the initial framework of our study (socioeconomic, psychosocial, political engagement, and media use) and to extend sub‐themes under each dimension (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005). Third, we com‐ pare the findings with the findings from other methodologies (e.g., focus groups and semi‐ structured individual interviews) to identify discrepancies between media portrayal and general perception of the post‐80s.

Method

Major content from Hong Kong media—including newspapers and magazines—were searched via WISENEWS between Jan 1 and Feb 28, 2010. Keywords “80 後” and “post 80s” were used to identify articles, which were then categorized into the 14 sub‐themes. A total number of 1,996 articles were identified (1,894 Chinese articles and 102 English articles; Fig‐ ure 1). Excluding non‐Hong Kong media coverage, 1,339 articles were found in local news, with 1,257 Chinese and 82 English articles (Table 1). Distributions of the newspaper sources can also be found in Appendix A Table 1.

11 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 1: Proportion of news articles by language (n = 1,996)

Table 1: Proportion of local news articles in terms of language, paper section (n = 1,339)

Section/Language Chinese articles English articles Total

News Reporting 770 57 827

Commentary 487 25 512

Total 1,257 82 1,339

Three raters were recruited to code the news articles according to 14‐subthemes. Coding re‐ liability was measured by the total number of coding mismatches in a total of 50 articles (50% Chinese and 50% English). Overall inter‐rater reliability was .75. Raters then used the program NVivo 2.0 to categorize the articles according to the three dimensions. Detailed findings are displayed in Appendix A Table 2.

Results

Reading media reactions to the express rail link incident, it is clear that the media is characterizing the young generation in different ways. To better understand these depictions, we compiled a review based on three perspectives: (1) socioeconomic, (2) psychosocial, and (3) communication use and civil involvement.

From a socioeconomic perspective, reports generally say that the post‐80s are well‐educated. But this is at odds with their median income, which has gradually decreased to such an ex‐ tent that they can barely afford their daily expenses. Moreover, it seems to be impossible for

12 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report them to purchase their own property, which will be a major obstacle in planning their future and starting families. Articles also reported that the slow work mobility can be explained by narrow job availability in the market. The majority of job posts have been filled by people in their 40s and 50s (born in 1950s and 1960s). This generation is also net‐savvy and used to using the Internet to socialize, gather and forward information, and voice opinions.

From a psychosocial perspective, the media describes this generation’s attitudes as more open‐minded and receptive to intimate relationships. They are educated during their school days with the common values of justice and fairness in society, rather than just the value of earning money. In addition, media characterizations of the post‐80s are sometimes at odds with each other. Some say they are energetic and creative; others describe them with a dark side for being troublemakers and self‐centred. In terms of mental health, the media implies that they are in a high‐stress environment and feel frustrated and hopeless with lots of dissatisfaction in areas like social mobility, housing, and work.

From the perspective of communication use and civil involvement, the media suggests that the government has failed to listen objectively to the young generation’s views and failed to engage the young generation. Furthermore, they are disappointed with the trial Facebook interaction programme because it lacked sincerity and communication. There are many new tools for engagement and participation, but the government has not successfully built a communication platform to interact with the public. The results of the media content analy‐ sis also suggest that the government should change its mode of engagement. For example, it should be more familiar with interactive Internet platforms, plan efficient strategies to col‐ lect ideas and opinions, and even open public forums with live broadcasting.

Other perspectives in the media argue that most of the post‐80s used peaceful means of demonstration. Many post‐80s feel the government has ignored opinions different from its own. Also, because of its occasional aggressive acts towards police, the young generation has been labelled “violent”, which implies that they are unreasonable and self‐centred. Yet most post‐80s still value fairness, objectivity, and rationality. They are enduring this criticism with much rationality, even as their image is being distorted under the media spotlight.

13 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Study Framework

Based on our literature review, the media content analysis, and Lui’s (2007) four‐generations categorization, we further investigate the post‐80s. We use here three dimensions, with a range of 14 sub‐themes with a special focus on the 15‐29 age cohort. The goal is to under‐ stand, identify, and comprehensively assess their needs, views, aspirations, expectations, cultural characteristics, and mental well‐being. Each dimension will be discussed based on findings from focus groups, telephone and online surveys, and semi‐structured interviews.

The Socioeconomic Dimension

1. Socioeconomic status and financial dependence, living arrangements, and plans

2. Education, career plan, and perceived social mobility

3. Family formation

4. Social network and capital: Support from family, relatives, friends, and community

5. Social life, including leisure, pop culture, and sub‐culture; consumption patterns and

volunteerism

6. Housing needs and aspirations

The Psychosocial Dimension

7. Worldview, life values, acceptance of diversity, and attitudes towards post‐materialism,

religion, and spirituality

8. Personality: Assertiveness, curiosity, risk‐taking, and creativity

9. General mental health: Stressors, help‐seeking, service utilization, resilience, strengths,

and achievements

Political Engagement and Media Use

10. Use of traditional/new media and digital literacy

11. Attitudes towards public government

12. Civic participation and preferred mode of engagement

13. Acceptance of violent behaviour in the demonstrations

14. Views on Hong Kong civic and political development

14 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Methods

This section explains the research methods used in each study.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile

To ensure validity and reliability, data used are mostly from the Census and Statistics De‐ partment, HKSAR, as well as from published academic papers.

Focus Groups

A series of semi‐structured focus group studies was conducted. Purposive sampling, a non‐ probability sampling method, was used to maximize the range of participant characteristics within the research scope of this study. Participants were invited to participate in one of the six discussion sessions. Each session had a focus theme drawn from the three proposed di‐ mensions (psychosocial, socioeconomic, and communication use and civic involvement). Each group was moderated by a co‐investigator with expertise in the topic. Informed con‐ sent was obtained before the interviews. HK$50 was offered to each participant. Each focus group lasted for 2 to 3 hours. Interested parties were allowed to use pseudonyms to help them feel comfortable speaking freely.

Discussions from the seven focus groups were recorded and transcribed. As in the media content analysis, the transcriptions were analyzed using a directed approach based on the 14 sub‐themes (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005). NVivo 2.0 was used for data management. Work was compared with the findings of the media content analysis and semi‐structured interviews.

Sample

A total of 46 participants aged 18‐29 (males = 31, females = 15, mean age = 24.8) participated in the seven focus groups. Demographic information was collected from the participants and is displayed in the results section.

15 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Telephone and Online Survey

The main study has two parts: (Part 1) a telephone interview and (Part 2) an online survey. In cooperation with the HKU Social Sciences Research Centre, a sample of mobile numbers was generated randomly using the mobile numbers prefix data published by the Office of Telecommunications Authority (OFTA). All generated numbers were assigned a random number and re‐ordered before being used for fieldwork. Each mobile number was dialed and attempted three times. Mobile phone users were excluded if they were not aged 15‐29. Each telephone interview lasted less than 15 minutes. Interviewees were encouraged to take part in the online interview for a chance at winning a drawing for a 16GB iPad.

Interviewees who agreed over the phone to participate in Part 2 were asked to provide an email address, where they received a link to the online questionnaire. A reminder system (see flow chart below) was also developed to encourage participation. Interviewees were reminded via email and SMS in 7 days in case of incompletion. After another 7 days, par‐ ticipants received a follow‐up phone call to resolve any of their concerns.

Figure 2: Reminder system

Done

16 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Sample

A total of 1,020 mobile users (males = 494, females = 526) between the ages of 15 and 29 par‐ ticipated in the telephone interview via random sampling. The cooperation rate is 50.4% (Appendix A Table 4). Among them, 34.1% were aged 15‐19; 35.8% were aged 20‐24; and 30.1% were aged 25‐29. After the interview, 499 subjects agreed verbally to participate in the online study, although 171 did not complete it. Overall, 328 subjects completed the online survey. The attrition rate is 32%.

Semi‐structured Individual Interviews

Interviewees were invited to express their views and aspirations towards the three proposed dimensions and the fourteen sub‐themes in a one‐hour face‐to‐face interview. Purposive sampling was undertaken to identify participants whose characteristics were required for in‐ depth analysis after preliminary assessment of the results of the survey and the focus groups. The co‐investigators with expertise in the topics of interest conducted the interviews and encouraged the interviewees to share their opinions in detail. Interviewees were allowed to help them feel comfortable speaking freely.

Discussions from the 20 individual interviews were recorded and transcribed in the inter‐ viewees’ spoken language. As in the media content analysis, the twenty transcriptions were organized according to the 14 sub‐themes by using NVivo 2.0 by the same raters. Work was compared with findings acquired in the media content analysis and focus groups.

Sample

Twenty individual interviews (males = 15, females = 5, age mean = 24.0) were conducted as the telephone and online study was completed. Demographic information was collected from the participants, as reported below.

17 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Results: Demographic and So‐ cioeconomic Profile

The total Hong Kong population in 2009 was 7,026,361 (Figure 3). The gender ratio is 1.12 female to male. There are a total of 1,423,587 (20.3%) people aged 15‐29. The gender ratio of this group is also 1.12 female to male. The gender ratio in the 25‐29 group (1.33) is higher than the 15‐19 and 20‐24 groups, which could be due to the presence of domestic helpers2 (see Table 2).

Figure 3: Population pyramid 2009

Table 2: Age distribution of the young generation in 2009

Age/Gender Male Female Sub‐total

15‐19 223,572 (15.7%) 210,976 (14.8%) 434,548 (30.5%)

20‐24 217,560 (15.2%) 234,314 (16.5%) 451,874 (31.7%)

25‐29 230,249 (16.2%) 306,916 (21.6%) 537,165 (37.7%)

Sub‐total 671,381 (47.2%) 752,206 (52.8%) 1,423,587 (100%)

Sources: Census and Statistics Department

2 The number of domestic helpers in 2009 (provisional) was 76,667.

18 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

As noted in Figure 4, there is a downward trend in the proportion the 15‐29‐year‐olds makeup of the overall population over the last 20 years for both males and females. But this trend has reversed in 2008. According to provisional 2010 numbers, the proportion contin‐ ued to drop for females but rose again for males.3

Figure 4: Proportion of young generation residents (age 15‐29) in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2010

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006; Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key statistics 2009; Projected mid‐year Population 2007‐2036. Census and Statistics Department.

3 Due to differences in sampling size between the two surveys (Census/by‐census, and women and men key statistics) and projection of 2010, sampling error and data variation may distort 2008 and 2010 data.

19 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Living Arrangements and Plans

Household size has decreased in recent decades. Four‐person households are now the most common, replacing five‐person households. However, the Census shows households with 25‐29‐year‐olds have shrunk to less than or equal to 3 people (including themselves). This trend can be seen from 1991 to 2006 and seems to becoming a long‐term trend.

Figure 5: Household size of the young generation between 1991 and 2006 (aged 15‐29)

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department.

20 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Educational Attainment

Figure 6 shows the distribution of the young generation’s highest educational attainment for upper secondary school, sub‐degree, and degree courses from 2001‐2009. For those who aged 15‐19, over 50% have finished upper secondary education, and more than 25% have completed post‐secondary education. Over 80% of young adults aged 20‐24 have attained upper secondary education and at least 50% have entered sub‐degree courses. People aged 25‐29 have a lower proportion completing post‐secondary courses. In addition, the propor‐ tion of young geners completing degree courses has soared 25.9% in the 20‐24 group and 24.7% in the 25‐29 group since 2001.

Figure 6: Highest education attainment of the young generation (aged 15‐29) between 1991‐2009

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department.

21 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Marital Status and Fertility Rate

Table 3 shows the marital status of the young generation in percentages and absolute numbers.4 More details are discussed below, with a focus on two types of marital status: “now married” and “never married”.

Table 3: Distribution of different marital status on young adults (aged 20‐29)

Male

Marital Status (MS)

1991 1996 2001 2006 2008

202,248 212,658 205,231 205,829 213,100 Never married Aged 20‐24 (93.5%) (94.4%) (95.3%) (97.1%) (98.2%)

189,995 175,083 177,645 175,695 196,000 25‐29 (67.0%) (70.9%) (75.4%) (81.2%) (85.7%)

13,761 13,158 9,651 5,975 3,900 Now married 20‐24 (6.4%) (5.4%) (4.5%) (2.8%) (1.8%)

91,977 69,995 55,708 39,079 31,800 25‐29 (32.5%) (28.3%) (23.7%) (18.1%) (13.9%)

271 356 372 156 #5 Widowed/ 20‐24

Divorced/ (0.1%) (0.2%) (0.2%) (0.1%)

Separated 1,405 1,962 2,158 1,491 800 25‐29 (0.5%) (0.8%) (0.9%) (0.7%) (0.3%)

4 Due to sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by‐census, and women and men key statistics), sampling error and data variation may distort 2008 data. 5 Statistics have not been released due to large sampling error.

22 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Female

Marital Status (MS)

1991 1996 2001 2006 2008

Never married Aged 177,247 193,889 210,578 216,218 227,200 20‐24 (82.9%) (85.3%) (88.9%) (92.2%) (94.4%)

25‐29 133,723 148,741 167,496 185,862 206,400

(45.5%) (52.0%) (59.5%) (67.6%) (69.0%)

Now married 20‐24 36,159 32,582 25,355 17,456 13,000

(16.9%) (14.3%) (10.7%) (7.4%) (5.4%)

25‐29 158,280 133,667 109,452 84,504 89,000

(53.8%) (46.8%) (38.9%) (30.7%) (29.8%)

Widowed/ 20‐24 513 858 1,004 887 700

Divorced/ (0.2%) (0.4%) (0.5%) (0.4%) (0.3%)

Separated 25‐29 2,187 3,401 4,343 4,528 3,700

(0.8%) (1.2%) (1.5%) (1.6%) (1.2%)

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006 Women and men in Hong Kong – Key statistics 2009 Census and Statistic Department

23 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 7 shows the proportion of married young adults (aged 20‐29) between 1991 and 2008.6 It is clear that the proportion of the married young adults has decreased over time, with a more rapid decline in the 25‐29 group compared to the 20‐24 group. One possible rea‐ son could be the increase in women pursuing continuing education, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7: Proportion of now‐married young adults (aged 20‐29)

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics 2009. Census and Statistics Department.

6 Due to sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by‐census, and women and men key statistics), sampling error and data variation might distort 2008 data.

24 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 8 shows the proportions of people who have never married in specific age groups of young adults from 1991 to 2008.7 This increasing trend involves all age groups and genders. Nevertheless, the increase is larger for those aged 25‐29.

Figure 8: Percentage of never‐married young adults (aged 20‐29) between 1991‐2008

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Women and Men in Hong Kong – Key Statistics 2009. Census and Statistics Department.

7 Due to the sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by‐census, and women and men key statis‐ tics), sampling error and data variation might distort 2008 data.

25 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 9 shows that the fertility rate of the young geners is generally decreasing, especially in the 25‐29 age group. There has been a drop of 40 births per 1,000 women from 1991 to 2001 and it remains at 58/1,000 in 2008.8 Over the past 17 years the fertility rate of the 20‐24 group has declined from 40/1,000 to 24/1,000, which is considered low compared to other countries.9

Figure 9: Fertility rate of females aged 15‐29

Source: Women and Men in Hong Kong ‐ Key statistics 2009

8 Due to sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by‐census, and women and men key statistics), sampling error and data variation might distort 2008 data. 9 Fertility rates in 2008 (per 1,000 women): Singapore: 20‐24: 29/1,000; 25‐29: 79/1,000; Taiwan: 20‐24: 32/1,000; 25‐ 29: 72/1,000. Sources: Fertility National Statistic, R.O.C. (2010). Rates of Childbearing Age – Women, Singapore Department of Statistics (2010).

26 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Employment Status

Figure 10 shows the proportion of the young generation participating in the labour force compared to the overall population. The proportion of youth participating in the labour force is higher (except for ages 15‐19), through it has consistently decreased since 1991 from 29.4% to 9.2% for males and from 25.7% to 9.3% for females in March 2010.10

However, the proportion of employed 20‐24‐year‐olds has fallen about 20% in both genders and has approached the overall population participation rate. Meanwhile, females aged 25‐ 29 have shown the opposite trend, with an increase from 79.7% to 87.1%. The proportion of males remains steady above 90%.

Figure 10: Proportion of the young generation (ages 15‐29) participating in the labour force between 1991 and 2010

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Quarterly Report General Household Survey 2010. Census and Statistics Department

10 Due to sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by‐census, and Quarterly report – General Household Survey), sampling error and data variation might distort 2009 and 2010 data.

27 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 11 shows unemployment rates for the young generation. The unemployment rate for females is lower than males. In general, the older the age, the lower the unemployment rate. Moreover, the rate has been climbing in the 15‐19 group since 1991, from 8.6% to a peak of 25.4% for males in 2001 and from 7.5% to a peak of 21.4% for females in 2001. For females, unemployment has fallen since 2006 to 11‐15% in March 201011; for males, it dropped in 2006, but rose again to around 25% for people aged 15‐19.

Figure 12 shows that the percentage of young geners working in manufacturing, transport, storage, and communication has been decreasing. In contrast, young people are working more and more in the community, social, and personal services industry, reflecting the change in work spectrum from trading to personal services. Interestingly, government sta‐ tistics in Figure 13 show an increasing trend in wholesale, retail, import/export trades, res‐ taurants, and hotels among 15‐29‐year‐olds since 2001.

Figure 11: Unemployment rates of the young generation (aged 15‐29) between 1991 and 2010

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Quarterly Report General Household Survey 2010. Census and Statistics Department

11 Due to sampling size differences between two surveys (Census/by-census, and Quarterly report – General Household Sur- vey), sampling error and data variation might distort 2009 and 2010 data.

28 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 12: Job industry distribution of the young generation (ages 15‐29) between 1991 and 2006

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department, 2010. Census and Statistics De‐ partment

Figure 13: Occupation distribution of the young generation (ages 15‐29) between 1991 and 2009

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department, 2010. Census and Statistics De‐ partment

29 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Employment Income

Figure 14 shows 15‐29‐year‐olds’ monthly median employment earnings over the past 20 years. The data shows that 25‐29‐year‐olds’ employment earnings are roughly the same as in 1996. However, those aged 15‐19 and 20‐24 earned less than they did in 1996. Those two groups now earn HK$5,000 and HK$7,500 respectively. Furthermore, over 90% of 15‐19‐ year‐olds and 70% of 20‐24‐year‐olds earn less than HK$10,000 (Figure 15).

Figure 14: Monthly median employment earnings of the young generation (ages 15‐29) between 1991 and 2009

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department, 2010. Census and Statistics De‐ partment

30 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 15: Monthly income from major employment of the young generation (ages 15‐29) between 1991 and 2009

Sources: Census 1991, 2001; By‐census 1996, 2006. Census and Statistics Department, 2010. Census and Statistics De‐ partment

31 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Voting Turnout

In 2008, 548,421 people aged 18–29 registered as electors for the Legislative Council Election, and they made up 16.3% of the total number of electors (n = 3,372,007).

Overall, 38.5% of people aged 18‐30 are registered to vote. In specific age groups, 23.5%, 43.1%, and 46.8% of those aged 18‐20, 21‐25, and 26‐30 are registered to vote, respectively.

Figure 16 shows the changes in voting turnout over the past four Legislative Council Elec‐ tion years. Turnout fluctuates across years and age groups, which is probably evidence that many different external factors are affecting turnout rates. Among the young geners, the youngest group (18‐20) has had the highest turnout rate across four election years and is the only group with higher turnout than people over age 30. The lowest turnout of the 18‐20 group was 45% in 2000, and their highest rate was 61% in 2004. In contrast, the 26‐30 group has the lowest turnout rate, which fluctuated from 36% in 2000 and 2008 to 48% in 1998 and 2004.

Figure 16: Voting turnout of young adults (aged 18‐30) for the Legislative Council Election in 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2008

Sources: Registration and Electoral Office, 2010

32 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Internet Use

Figure 17 shows that Internet use among the young generation is increasing over time, im‐ plying that web usage occupies a significant amount of young geners’ time. This is one sign that it may be easier to reach them over the Internet.

Figure 17: Time spent (weekly) on the Internet (ages 15‐29)

Sources: Census and Statistics Department, 2010

33 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Results: Focus Groups

A total of 46 participants (67% males and 33% females) participated in one of the six focus groups studies (Figure 18). They range from 18‐29 years of age, with an equal percentage of 20‐24 and 25‐29 groups (Figure 19).

Figure 18: Gender of the focus groups participants (n = 46)

Figure 19: Age of the focus groups participants (n = 46)

34 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Most of the participants are well‐educated as a result of snowball sampling12: 59% of partici‐ pants have completed tertiary degree courses, whereas only 15% attained education up to secondary school (Figure 20).

In terms of employment type, the largest proportion of participants work in community, so‐ cial, and personal services (34.8%) (e.g. salesperson). Many respondents work in finance, in‐ surance, real estate, and other commercial services (13.0%) or are students (15.2%). One par‐ ticipant reported being unemployed (2.2%; Figure 21).

Figure 20: The highest education attainment of the focus groups participants (n = 46)

12 Snowball sampling is a technique for developing a research sample where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances and which will appear growing like a rolling snowball (Goodman, 1961).

35 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 21: Careers of the focus group participants (n = 46)13

Close to 80% of the participants live with their parent(s). The other 15% live with their part‐ ner, spouse, or by themselves (Figure 22). Thirty‐two out of 46 participants are single. Elev‐ en are in a relationship, of which five are cohabiting, and three are married (Figure 23).

Figure 22: Focus groups participants who are currently living with parents (n = 46)

13 Agricultural, mining, hotel & restaurant has zero participants.

36 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 23: Focus groups participants’ relationship status (n = 46)

A majority of participants lives in private housing (56.5%); 17.4% live under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS); and 19.6% live in public housing. Six rent their residence, and three had purchased a home (Figure 24).

Figure 24: The distribution of housing type of focus groups participants (n = 46). Note: HOS = House Ownership Scheme

37 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Table 4 reports summary findings collected from focus group discussions and the research team’s observations based on the 14 sub‐themes. Selected opinions and views from partici‐ pants are also quoted. More detailed findings from focus groups are shown in Appendix A Table 3.

On a whole, the majority of the focus group participants were well‐educated. At least half hold degrees and are educated well to contribute to society. Unlike common descriptions in the media, these young geners are bright, confident, and full of energy. They enjoy life, care about nature, and are willing to explore unfamiliar activities. They want to preserve the as‐ sets of their community. Despite being skeptical of the media, they share their ideas on the Internet, commonly on Facebook and personal blogs. They have clear aspirations to better living in the future and have clear ideas of how to achieve their aspirations.

Sadly, however, income instability makes them feel it is difficult to reach a decent standard of living in Hong Kong. Their aspiration to live on their own (i.e., to move out from the fam‐ ily) underscores their strong and desperate desire for housing. This discrepancy leads to fi‐ nancial difficulty in the young geners’ golden years. They are getting more and more frus‐ trated and upset with the current housing market. Family planning and childbearing both depend on their financial status. This makes them want to speak up to the government in search for improvements to the system, but they feel that the government is not listening at all. They feel ignored and are unsatisfied with the current method of civic engagement. To them, automatic e‐mails are not legitimate responses. They are asking for their needs to be addressed explicitly. No matter what, they made it clear that they passionately care about their society and that they intend to strive for the betterment of their homeland.

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Table 4: Summary findings from the focus groups

Socioeconomic Dimension

Sub‐topics Focus Groups Observations

Spend money on further education; some have thoughts of pursuing post‐graduate degrees; might help with promotion by Socioeconomic sta‐ having more ʺcertsʺ, though no guarantee. tus and financial Participants in one of the focus groups No mention of volunteer‐ dependence, living said that inflation is a problem, so saving ism nor any wish to con‐ arrangements and with low interest is no longer an effective tribute to society plans way to build wealth. Investment is the so‐ lution. Some also say they work part time to support their spending on transporta‐ tion and food (Appendix C‐E).

Education, career Glass ceiling: feel frustrated and lost due Low income and social plan, and percep‐ to disconnect between educational level mobility; disparity be‐ tion of social mo‐ and salary; education is no longer a guar‐ tween income and educa‐ bility antee of better jobs. tion level

No plan at the moment due to insufficient income to support their own household. They remarked that cohabitation helps Real planning depends Family formation couples better understand each other. The heavily on financial sta‐ decision to have children depends entirely bility on their financial condition (Appendix A Table 3‐3).

Social networks Fond of communicating via the virtual and capital: Sup‐ Social media network world, most commonly on Facebook. They port from family, plays a vital role among SHARE and TAG others to convey mes‐ relatives, friends, young generation sages and personal ideas. and community

39 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Willing to explore unfa‐ Healthy social life; have regular meetings miliar activities. Yet, they Social life (pop cul‐ with friends; some enjoy one‐day trips to complained that not ture, consumption Shenzhen for entertainment. Most of them many hobbies or sports patterns, and vol‐ do not prefer to shop because prices are could be cultivated due unteerism) too high and shopping is not a necessity. to limited venues in Hong Kong

High demand for housing; many want to move out because they want space and privacy. They hope to gain wealth by own‐ Desperate need for own ing property. A majority sees homeowner‐ living space; getting very ship as overwhelmingly difficult. One par‐ frustrated and upset with Housing needs ticipant said they want to move out from the current housing mar‐ their parents because they are individuals and aspirations ket; reluctant to spend a and need private space. But housing prices high percentage of their are soaring, and there is no way the post‐ 80s can afford it (Appendix C‐C and Ap‐ income on housing mort‐ pendix C‐G). gage

40 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Psychosocial Dimension

Sub‐topics Focus Groups Observations

The groups found personality indefinable and not as obvious as the Baby‐boomer generation. A majority said they do not have a negative re‐ action to being labelled ”post‐80s”. However, Life‐loving gen. some of the descriptions in the media—like be‐ Looking for work‐ ing radical and aggressive—do upset them. One life balance (flexible Personality of the participants, A, thought discussion of the hours, days off, post‐80s was positive to society. Another par‐ work from home); ticipant, L, felt that others used the term ‘post‐ 80s’ negatively, especially with the connotation High self‐awareness of aggressive (Appendix C‐A and Appendix C‐ of risk‐taking L)

Special Focus

Labelling (post‐ Neutral to being called “post‐80s” as long as it Bright; self‐ 80s) not used with any negative connotations. confident; sceptical

General mental Hesitant to seek health: stressors, Accept people who are mentally unhealthy; professional help in help‐seeking, ser‐ reckon mental health resources are highly acces‐ case of mental is‐ vice utilization, sible; ample social activities to de‐stress. Partici‐ sues, but willing to resilience, pants claimed that mental health services take cope with problems strength, and time to adjust to. with help of peers; achievement highly resilient

41 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Communication use and Civic Involvement/Community Involvement Dimension

Sub‐topics Focus Groups Observations

Media savvy, needs Traditional and new Rely on information on the Internet but al‐ instant return; high‐ media use and digital ways with scepticism. Looking for more reli‐ ly respectful of me‐ literacy able messages with validation. Scrutiny. dia integrity (com‐ pleteness)

They feel their opinions have been ignored; Sense that the gov‐ Attitudes towards they are looking for higher transparency ernment is not lis‐ public governance from the government. Appealing for levelling tening rich‐poor disparity.

Some wrote emails to express their view‐ points regarding civil development; they do not like to receive standard “thank you for Young geners are Civic participation your opinion” responses. looking for sincere and preferred mode Some wondered whether voicing their real responses from the of engagement thoughts would cause them to be “black‐ government. listed”.

Acceptance of violent Some thought that the demonstrations were Using IT may be a behaviours in the the only way to raise government and public good way to engage demonstrations awareness; only voices from demonstration to them could be heard (Appendix C‐M).

Civically engaged: China supporters. They believe true democracy is crucial and takes time to proceed. However, they await the LegCo referendum (Appendix C‐N and Ap‐ The government is Views on HK civic pendix C‐O). not trying to listen development and is highly stub‐ Civically disengaged: They are either giving born up or have more tolerance towards society, usually with a stronger image as a Hong Konger.

42 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Results: Telephone and Online Surveys

SOCIOECONOMIC DIMENSION

Education

Compared to Census statistics (Figure 25), our subjects are generally well‐educated. The ma‐ jority in the 20‐24 and 25‐29 groups has attained post‐secondary degrees (highlighted in green). Among 1,020 subjects in the telephone survey, over 60% aged 20‐29 currently hold or are studying for a university degree (Table 5).

Figure 25: Highest educational attainment of the young generation (aged 15‐29) from 2001 to 2009 from Census statistics and telephone survey (n = 1,020)

43 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Table 5: Education level in telephone survey (n = 1,020)

F.3 or below Form 4‐5 Matriculation University or above Age % % % %

15‐19 15 52.9 19.5 12.4

20‐24 3.3 21.4 11.5 63.8

25‐29 6.2 22.8 7.5 62.5

Overall 8.2 32.5 13.0 45.9

Employment Status

Table 6 shows the employment status of the respondents to the telephone survey. Of the 1,020 respondents, 45.4% were employed, 7.3% were self‐employed, and 28.0% had part‐ time or freelance jobs; 19.2% were economically inactive, including students and people un‐ employed for more than 7 days. The government data in Figure 26 shows a similar work sta‐ tus profile. The proportion of young people participating in the labour force is slightly lower, taking into account those currently in school. In terms of industries, a higher percentage of telephone survey respondents aged 15‐19 work in the wholesale, retail, import/export trades, restaurants, and hotels sectors (Figure 27). A declining number of young geners work in manufacturing across all age groups.

Table 6: Telephone survey respondents’ employment status (n = 1,020)

Employment Status %

Employed 45.4

Self‐employed 7.3

Part‐time/freelance 28.0

Economically inactive (incl. students) 19.2

44 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 26: Government statistics on employment status from 1991 to 2006 and findings from telephone survey across age groups (n = 1,020)

Figure 27: Employment industries in different age groups from government statistics from 1991 to 2006 and from telephone survey across age groups (n = 52114)

14 Four hundred and ninety‐eight (498) telephone survey respondents, out of 1020 total respondents, were excluded from this item because they were not employed. Moreover, one (1) telephone survey respondent, out of 1020 total respondents, refused to answer this item.

45 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Secondary Employment15

The online survey found that secondary employment is common in the young generation. Overall, 28.8% of full‐time employees have secondary employment. This percentage is much higher than government statistical data from the past 20 years. There appears to be a sharp increase for this generation in business investment and side‐jobs (Figure 28).

Figure 28: Secondary employment figures from government statistics from 1991 and 2006 and from online survey (n = 328)

15 Secondary employment refers to work with compensation that the person must have engaged in the past 30 days apart from ones primary employment. Work without compensation—such as volunteering and housework—are not included. Busi‐ ness investment that does not require active participation in operation and management is not considered secondary employ‐ ment. Overtime work is not secondary employment (HKCSD, 2010).

46 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Income and Work Benefits

Findings from the telephone survey reveal low income. Excluding those without jobs (i.e., unemployed and students), about 20% earn HK$10,000‐14,999 a month; 15% earn between HK$6,000‐9,999; and about 16% earn below HK$5,999 a month. (Figure 29)

Respondents also described the work benefits their employers offer. Close to half enjoy enti‐ tled statutory holidays (47.2%) and annual leave (48.3%; Figure 30).

Figure 29: Telephone survey respondents’ income (n = 1,020)

Figure 30: Work benefits of online survey respondents (n = 265)

47 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Social Mobility

When we looked into job mobility, statistics gave a picture of low mobility. Of online survey respondents, 76.2% never had a job promotion, and about 14% have received one promotion (Figure 31) Although this could be explained by their limited work experience and young age, interestingly, close to 50% believed job promotion was difficult to come by; 35% were neutral about the statement (Figure 32), hinting at one of the major frustrations of this gen‐ eration.

Figure 31: Online survey respondents’ number of promotions (n = 265)

Figure 32: Online survey respondents’ beliefs about promotion difficulties (percentage, n = 265)

48 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Career Plan

Young geners were also asked about their career plans. Overall, 91.8% in the survey be‐ lieved that education could help job promotion (Table 7), and 85.4% have considered fur‐ thering their education (Table 8). Obviously this is a sign of their high willingness to further their education. This high demand may be connected to their strong belief that they need certain levels of education before they are promoted. Similar attitudes can be found in the focus groups and the interviews.

Table 7: Online survey respondents’ views towards further education (n = 328)

Pursuing further study CAN help job promotion

Strongly Agree % Agree % Disagree % Strongly Disagree %

50.3 41.5 5.8 2.4

Table 8: Online survey respondents’ intention to pursue further education (n = 328)

Pursuing further study in the foreseeable future

Definitely % Probably % Probably Won’t % Definitely Won’t %

56.1 29.3 4.3 0.9

49 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Working in Mainland China

Online survey reflects willingness of Mainland‐working. More young adults than before are considering working in Mainland China. Among the 95.1% of young geners who are work‐ ing in Hong Kong, 38% said they are considering working in the Mainland (Figure 33) and males are over 70% (Figure 34).

Figure 33: Online survey respondents considering working in Mainland China (n = 328)

Figure 34: Respondents considering working in Mainland China age distribution (n=125)16

16 Two hundred and three (203) respondents, out of total 328 respondents, were excluded from this item because they an‐ swered no in consideration of Mainland‐working.

50 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Work Engagement

Work accounts for a rather large proportion of our waking hours. Moreover, it has a large impact our physical health, mental health, and happiness. ‘Engagement’ is defined as a posi‐ tive, fulfilling work‐related state of mind that is characterized by vigor, dedication, and ab‐ sorption (Schaufeli, Salanova, Gonzalez‐Romá, & Bakker, 2002). It is postulated that engaged employees have a sense of energetic and effective connection with their work activities, and they see themselves as able to deal well with the demands of their jobs. A measurement scale called the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was used in this study to investi‐ gate how engaged the younger generation in their work. Based on the findings of the 17 items of the scale (Table 9), we found that our young generation is in general not very en‐ gaged with their work. For instance, only around 30% reported feeling bursts of energy at work; less than 20% reported feeling like going to work in the morning. However, it is worth mentioning that over 50% worked more than 41 hours a week (Figure 35). These findings reflect that there is a possibility that the young generation have been spending long hours on jobs that they are not particularly interested in.

Figure 35: Employed online survey respondents’ working hours in the past week (n = 265)

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Table 9: Online survey respondents’ work and well‐being survey (n = 328)

Some‐ Very Utrecht Work Engagement Scale Almost Often Always Never% Rarely% times Often (UWES) Never% % % % % At my work, I feel bursting with energy. 3.4 1.8 9.5 48.8 25.9 7.3 2.7 I find the work that I do full of meaning and 5.5 4.9 21.0 34.8 22.3 7.0 4.0 purpose.

Time flies when I’m working. 4.3 2.7 10.7 30.5 27.4 12.2 11.3

At my job, I feel strong and vigorous. 3.7 3.4 17.1 43.6 21.3 6.1 3.0

I am enthusiastic about my job. 4.6 3.4 15.2 39.3 24.4 8.2 3.4 When I am working, I forget everything else 5.5 6.4 21.0 32.3 21.3 7.9 4.3 around me. My job inspires me. 5.2 7.9 24.1 31.7 18.9 6.4 3.7 When I get up in the morning, I feel like go‐ 13.1 14.6 27.4 26.8 12.5 3.0 1.5 ing to work. I feel happy when I am working intensely. 4.0 8.8 14.0 31.7 24.4 10.4 5.5

I am proud of the work that I do. 7.3 7.9 19.2 30.5 20.4 7.9 5.5

I am immersed in my work. 3.4 7.0 14.3 34.1 23.5 10.7 4.6 I can continue working for very long periods 5.9 9.1 14.6 29.0 20.4 12.8 6.1 at a time. To me, my job is challenging. 6.4 7.0 16.5 27.4 19.5 16.2 5.8

I get carried away when I’m working. 10.7 20.7 29.9 25.9 6.1 1.8 2.7

At my job, I am very resilient, mentally. 3.4 5.5 14.9 35.7 25.0 9.8 4.0

It is difficult to detach myself from my job. 16.2 22.6 32.9 17.4 6.1 2.1 0.9 At my work, I always persevere, even when 3.7 3.7 8.5 35.1 29.3 12.8 5.2 things do not go well.

52 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Financial Dependence

The online survey also touched on young geners’ sense of financial management. In a 10‐ point scale, over 60% respondents reported that they exert a certain amount of control, thought, and effort over their financial situation (Table 10).

Table 10: Online survey respondents’ self‐ratings of financial management (n = 328)

Financial Management (10‐point scale) ≥ 6 % Amount of control over financial situation 60.7

Amount of thought and effort put into financial situation 65.7

53 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Social Networks and Volunteerism

Nearly 50% of respondents contact family members who do not live with them several times a day, including visits, phone calls, letters, and email; and 19% contact their family at least once a day (Figure 36). Table 11 describes this generation’’ family relationships. More than 50% believe their family cares a lot about them, and close to 25% believe family members are good to rely on when they encounter serious problems. In contrast, the young geners by and large say they do not understand a lot about how their family feels about things, nor does their family understand their feelings.

Figure 36: Online respondents’ frequency of social networking (n = 328)

Table 11: Online respondents’ family value rating (n = 328)

Statement A lot % Some % A Little % Not at all %

Family really care about you (not including your 51.5 37.5 9.8 0.9 spouse or partner)

Family understand the way you feel about things 14.0 43.6 35.7 6.1

Rely on family for help if you have a serious 24.7 33.8 30.2 10.7 problem You can open up to family if you need to talk 17.4 27.7 37.5 16.8 about your worries You understand the way family feels about 18.3 51.8 25.0 3.7 things

54 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Of the 328 respondents to the online survey, 42% have volunteering experience apart from donation (Figure 37). Furthermore, 59% have participated in less than 50 hours of volunteer‐ ing work, and 19% have served over 51 hours over the past 12 months (Figure 38). These rates of volunteering are quite high. One explanation is the mandatory community hours to school credits programme.

Figure 37: Online survey respondents volunteer participation, excluding donations (n = 328)

Figure 38: Online survey respondents’ number of hours spent volunteering in the past 12 months (n = 328)

55 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Family Planning and Romanic/Couple Relationships

This generation faces many hurdles to family formation and planning. Of the 91% of the non‐married respondents to the survey (Figure 39), close to 80% either definitely want or probably want to marry (Figure 40); over 65% are considering cohabitation in the foreseeable future (Figure 41). Overall, 69% disagreed with the idea that a woman has to have a child in order to feel fulfilled (Table 16), and 53% of people who have not had children yet only plan to have one child (Figure 42). With the estimated 0.8 total fertility rate for this cohort, there is a long way to meet the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.

Figure 39: Online survey participantsʹ marital status (n = 328)

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Figure 40: Online survey participants’ desire to marry (n = 30717)

Figure 41: Attitudes toward cohabitation with intimate partner (n = 29818)

17 Twenty‐one (21) online survey respondents, out of total 328 respondents, were excluded from this item because they are already married. 18 Thirty online (31) survey respondents, out of 328 total respondents, were excluded from this item because they are either married or cohabitating.

57 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 42: Number of children online survey respondents plan to have (n = 308)19

19 Twenty (20) online survey respondents, out of 328 total respondents, were excluded from this item because they are already parents.

58 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Housing Needs and Aspirations

The Census figures show a declining trend in average household size over the last 15 years among the generation (Figure 43). The online survey also found small households (4–5, ex‐ cluding domestic helpers), a sign of the gradual disappearance of large families (households with 5 or more living family members).

The survey also collected information on housing aspirations. The online survey found that the two highest priorities for living conditions are spaciousness and safe neighbourhoods. Interestingly, however, living proximity is also a concern. Close to 65% feel it is important to live close to their parents or relatives (Table 12).

Figure 43: Government statistics of household size of the young generation (ages 15‐29) from 1996 to 2006 and findings from online survey (n = 328)

59 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Table 12: Online survey respondents’ housing aspirations (n = 328)

Somewhat Impor‐ Somewhat Un‐Not at all Conditions (n = 328) Very Important % Neutral % tant % important % Important %

Property ownership 53.4 34.5 7.9 4.3 0.0

Spacious living environment 73.5 25.3 1.2 0.0 0.0

Safe neighbourhood 63.1 33.2 3.7 0.0 0.0 Living close to your parents or 27.7 37.2 18.9 12.8 2.7 relatives

60 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION

Values

The study also looked at young geners’ views on personal, family, and everyday life. A ma‐ jority (90%) rated family, friends, leisure, and work as important or very important to them. A more precise breakdown shows that family is the most important to the young generation, while friends come second. In contrast, politics and service to the community seem not to be as important (Table 13).

Table 13: Online respondents’ life values (n=328)

We would like to know how important theVery Important Not Very Not at all following are for you. important % % Important Important % %

Family 79.6 18.9 1.2 0.3

Friends 54.9 43.6 1.5 0.0

Leisure time 37.8 54.9 6.7 0.3

Politics 7.0 45.7 41.2 5.8

Work 29.3 63.1 6.7 0.6

Religion 12.8 19.2 44.2 23.8

Service to community 8.5 59.5 29.0 2.7

61 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

When we look at young generation’s views toward special social groups, they seem unwill‐ ing to be neighbours with people with psychiatric illnesses and drug use behaviour (Table 14)

Table 14: Online survey respondents’ views towards specific social groups (n = 328)

On the list are various groups of people. Who are you NOT willing to be % neighbours with? (May choose more than one answer.)

Criminal 27.4

Different ethnicity 4.0

Alcoholic 73.2

Emotionally unstable 66.2

Foreign worker 1.5

AIDS patient 25.6

Drug abuser 86.0

Mainlander 11.3

Homosexual 11.3

Politically active 28.4

Discharged mental patient/people rehabilitating from mental illnesses 35.1

None of the above 5.5

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Family Values

Several scales show strong family values in the young generation. Overall, 87% disagreed with the statement that marriage is an outdated institution, and close to 80% believe chil‐ dren need a home with parents to grow up happily (Table 16). Items in the World Values Survey give evidence that this generation has strong filial piety: 82% believe that making their parents proud is one of their main goals in life (Table 15), and close to 80% say a child needs a home with both a father and a mother to grow up happily (Table 16).

Table 15: Online survey respondents’ values towards self‐expectations and equality (n = 328)

Strongly Strongly Do you agree with the following views? Agree % Disagree % Agree % Disagree %

Most people in HK would contribute to activities that benefit the public without expectation of personal reward 2.4 30.8 54.0 12.8

I feel I have a responsibility to contribute to HK 17.7 73.5 7.6 0.9

One of my main goals in life has been to make my parents 24.1 57.9 17.1 0.9 proud

I make a lot of effort to live up to what my friends expect 11.9 59.5 24.7 2.7

A working mother can establish just as warm and secure a 21.3 60.7 17.7 0.3 relationship with her children as a mother who does not work

Being a housewife is just as fulfilling as being a working 39.0 55.8 4.9 0.3 woman

Both the husband and wife should contribute to household 41.5 51.2 7.0 0.3 income

On the whole men make better political leader than women do 5.5 21.0 55.5 18.0

A boy needs university education more than a girl does 4.6 10.7 46.3 38.4

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Table 16: Online survey respondents’ values towards marriage and family formation (n = 328)

Agree Disagree Do you agree with the following views? % %

A child needs a home with both a father and a mother to grow up happily 79.6 19.8

A woman has to have children in order to be fulfilled 30.5 68.9

Marriage is an outdated institution 11.9 87.2

Post‐materialism

The study also included a question set on post‐materialism to examine the new culture of the young generation. On the whole, the results demonstrate the transformation of youth and their society as Hong Kong secures basic material needs (Inglehart, 1995, 2000). Over 70% of the respondents rated “protecting freedom of speech” as one of their most values. The second most important is “maintaining order in society” (Table 17). This rating also ap‐ pears to be the top selected item in many developed countries.

The online questionnaire included another question set on post‐materialism. Respondents said they thought it was good to place more emphasis on family life and less emphasis on money and material possessions (Table 18). More on Hong Kong civic and political devel‐ opment will be discussed in sub‐theme 14.

Table 17: Telephone survey respondents’ views on post‐materialism (n = 1,020)

Giving people more Maintaining societal Protecting freedom say in important Fighting rising prices order of speech government decisions

Total 66% 42% 63% 71%

Table 18: Online survey respondents’ views on changes in way of life (n = 328)

Rating of Changes in Way of Life Good Thing %

Less emphasis on money and material possessions 75.3 Less importance placed on work in our lives 54.6 More emphasis on the development of technology 56.4 Greater respect for authority 21.6 More emphasis on family life 89.3

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Life Satisfaction

According to the life satisfaction scale, over 70% of respondents feel satisfied with life (Table 19).

Table 19: Online survey respondents’ life satisfaction (n = 328)

Scores on life satisfaction scale ≥ 6 (10‐point scale)

Relationship w/ Spouse/ Relationship w/ Health Work/Study Life Overall Partner Parents

62% 56% 40% 72% 71%

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General Mental Health

Table 20 shows that 57.6% of respondents rated their health as good or better; 33.5% as fair; and about 8% as poor or worse. In terms of energy level, 48% claimed to have quite a lot en‐ ergy or more; 33.8% have some energy; and about 18% have only little energy or less.

Table 20: Online survey respondents’ to the Health Survey (SF‐8; n = 328)

SF‐8: During the past 4 weeks %

Very Very Overall, how would you rate Excellent Good Fair Poor Good Poor your health?

19.5 33.8 33.5 6.4 1.6 .6

How much did physical health Very Quite a Could not do problems limit your usual Not at all Somewhat little lot physical activities physical activities (such as walking or climbing stairs)? 40.5 34.8 18.3 6.4 0.0

How much difficulty did you A little Quite a Could not do daily have doing your daily work, None at all Somewhat bit lot work both at home and away from home, because of your physical health? 55.8 28.4 11.0 3.0 1.8

Very Very How much bodily pain have you None Mild Moderate Severe Mild Severe had?

24.1 36.0 28.7 8.5 0.9 0.9

Quite a How much energy did you Very Much Some A Little None lot have?

7.9 40.2 33.8 13.4 4.3

How much did your physical Very Quite a Could not do social health or emotional problems Not at all Somewhat little lot activities limit your usual social activities with family or friends? 37.2 36.3 19.5 5.8 0.3

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SF‐8: During the past 4 weeks %

How much have you had been Quite a bothered by emotional problems Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely lot (such as feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable)? 23.5 41.5 18.3 13.4 2.4

How much did personal or Very Quite a Could not do daily emotional problems keep you Not at all Somewhat little lot activities from doing your usual work, school, or other daily activities? 27.7 38.1 27.1 6.7 0.3

Service Utilization

The online survey found low help‐seeking behaviour in the young generation (Table 21). This may be because they are mentally and physically healthy according to the SF‐8 Scale (Table 20) or because they do not want to use services.

Table 21: Online survey respondents’ help‐seeking (n = 328)

During the past 4 weeks, respondents HAVE had professional services in the following.

General Specialist Clinical Psychotherapeutic/ Social Services Religious Services Practitioner Services Counselling Services

24.7% 8.8% 3.4% 0.9% 11.0%

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POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT AND MEDIA USE DIMENSION

Preferred Media Use

Media use on the Internet and mobile devices is getting very popular. In addition to watch‐ ing TV, over 60% of young generation respondents acquire information online, send or re‐ ceive SMSs, or use other instant text messaging at least once a day (Table 23). Social net‐ working applications (e.g., Facebook or MySpace) feature in 70% of Hong Kong young peo‐ ple’s daily activities, surpassing emailing to be one of the major means of communication.

They do recognize television (25.5%) and news sites on the Internet (26.4%) as very impor‐ tant sources of information. They also get information from friends and family. In contrast, blogs, online forums, social networking websites, and radio are not recognized as important news information sources (Table 22).

Table 22: Telephone survey respondents’ ratings of the importance of news information sources (n = 1,020)

News Information Sources / Very % Somewhat % Not too % Not at all % Don’t Know % Importance

Television 25.5 56.5 15.5 2.5 0.0

News sites on the Internet 26.4 48.7 21.8 2.9 0.2

Talking with others 13.4 56.9 25.3 4.2 0.2

Purchased newspaper 13.4 50.0 31.0 5.1 0.5

Free newspaper 14.2 48.0 31.5 6.0 0.3

Blogs 3.5 19.0 58.6 18.4 0.3

Online forums 6.3 29.4 53.0 11.2 0.1

Social networking sites such as 6.5 31.5 47.4 14.3 0.3 Facebook or MySpace

Radio 8.7 31.9 45.1 13.5 0.8

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Table 23: Telephone survey respondents’ frequency of media use (n = 1,020)

Several At least 3‐5 days a 1‐2 days a Every few times a Less often Never Frequency of Media Use once a day week week weeks day % % % % % % % Sending or receiving text mes‐ 54.4 9.1 11.0 6.8 2.6 9.6 6.3 sages on cell phone

Sending or receiving instant 45.5 15.9 10.4 9.2 2.9 10.0 6.1 messages (MSN/ICQ/QQ)

Using social networking sites, 44.0 26.1 10.4 6.4 1.7 5.3 6.2 e.g., MySpace, Facebook

Sending/reading email 37.5 22.1 11.2 10.5 3.2 12.0 3.6

Watching TV 27.1 39.4 13.1 8.4 1.0 8.5 2.5

Getting news online 28.0 32.2 12.5 9.1 1.8 9.2 7.3

Reading newspaper (printed) 4.6 28.8 17.1 19.4 4.7 19.2 6.2

Using Twitter or other “micro‐ blogging” services to share up‐ 8.5 8.1 5.1 7.1 3.5 16.4 51.3 dates about yourself or to see updates about others Posting comments to an online news group, website, blog, or 9.8 5.6 9.4 11.0 5.9 28.1 30.2 photo site Reading someone’s online jour‐ 12.5 10.9 11.1 12.5 6.7 18.1 28.2 nal or blog Writing on/responding to own 12.5 10.9 11.1 12.5 6.7 18.1 28.2 online journal or blog

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Attitudes towards Government and Politicians

The telephone interview included questions on satisfaction towards the Hong Kong Gov‐ ernment; results are shown in Table 24. Most (80%) respondents have never contacted a government official in person, by phone, letter, or online about an issue that is important to them. Among the respondents who had, 77% received a reply from the government, and 62.5% were satisfied with the response.

Most (94%) respondents have never contacted a District or Legislative Councillor in person, by phone, letter, or online about an issue that is important to them (Table 24‐25: Flow chart of telephone survey respondents’ satisfaction with District/LegCo Councillor’s conventional feedback channels (n=1,020)). But of those who had, 78% received a reply from the govern‐ ment, and 66% were satisfied with the response.

Table 24: Flow chart of telephone survey respondents’ satisfaction with government’s conventional feedback channels (n = 1,020)

3. Were you satisfied with their response? 2. Receive a response from Satisfied them? 1. Contact the 95 (9.3%) government? (n=1,020) Yes Neutral 152 (14.9%) 23 (2.3%) Yes 197 (19.3%) No NOT Satisfied 45 (4.1%) 33 (3.2%) No 823 (80.7%)

Table 25: Flow chart of telephone survey respondents’ satisfaction with District/LegCo Councillor’s conventional feedback channels (n = 1,020)

3. Were you satisfied with their response? 2. Receive a response from Satisfied them? 1. Contact the 33 (3.2%) District Council? (n=1,020) Yes Neutral 50 (4.9%) 4 (0.4%) Yes 64 (6.3%) No NOT Satisfied 14 (1.4%) 13 (1.3%) No 956 (93.7%)

70 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Respondents were also asked to rate their general satisfaction and trust towards the gov‐ ernment, as well as their political interest. Overall, participants felt apathy towards the gov‐ ernment. About 42% of the respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with the statement that they are generally satisfied with the government. The remaining respondents either agreed (23.7%) or disagreed (34.3%), with 10% more leaning towards disagreement (Table 26). About 27% of the respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with the statement that they were satisfied with the political situation in Hong Kong, and about 45% were not satisfied.

Findings (Table 26) revealed scattered political interest. Overall, 34% are interested in what is going on in politics; 40% are not; and 27% are neutral. Findings also demonstrated low political trust among the young generation, with a 71% of the respondents not trusting that politicians tell the truth. However, more than 35% settled in both sides agreeing and dis‐ agreeing their trust to politicians to deal with things that matters to them.

Table 26: Telephone survey respondents’ political satisfaction, interest, and trust (n = 1,020)

Strongly Strongly Agree % Neither % Disagree % Agree % Disagree %

POLITICAL SATISFACTION

You are generally satisfied with the 1.9 21.8 41.8 26.2 8.1 Hong Kong government.

You are generally satisfied with the 0.6 26.9 27.6 36.7 8.0 political situation in Hong Kong.

POLITICAL INTEREST

You are generally interested in 3.5 30.0 26.6 34.6 5.0 what’s going on in politics.

POLITICAL TRUST

You trust politicians to tell the 0.6 9.7 18.9 53.4 17.3 truth.

You trust politicians to deal with 1.2 35.6 28.8 28.1 6.0 the things that matter.

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Civic Participation

According to the survey results, civic participation is not as active as the media have gener‐ ally portrayed. Fewer than 40% have participated in the political and civic participation ac‐ tivities listed in Table 27 during the past 12 months, except for online discussions about poli‐ tics and current affairs and conducting research on a social issue.

Table 27: Telephone survey respondents’ civic participation on the Internet in the past 12 months (n = 1,020)

Civic Participation Yes % No % Don’t Know %

Sent or forwarded emails about social issues to others 10.6 89.2 0.2

Posted comments on a website or forum about a 14.0 85.7 0.3 political or social issue

Wrote in your blog about a political or social issue 15.5 84.4 0.1

Signed a petition online 14.0 84.3 1.7

Started or joined a group or a group supporting a 36.3 63.4 0.3 cause on a social networking site (i.e., Facebook/MySpace)

Posted political news for friends or others to read on a 37.5 62.1 0.4 social networking site (i.e., Facebook/MySpace)

Engaged in online discussion about politics and 44.1 55.9 0.0 current affairs with others ‐‐ by email or instant message, on a social networking site, or in an online chat

Conducted research on a social issue 51.8 48.0 0.2

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Political Inclination

Respondents seem to have higher civic involvement than the general 18‐30 population. The official voting registration population of aged 18‐30 is 42% (Table 28), but 61% (n = 490) of telephone respondents are registered voters, and 47% voted in the last Legislative Council election 2008 (Figure 44‐45). For those who are still not registered voters, 44% (n = 137) say they will register before next LegCo‐election in 2012 (Figure 46).

Table 28: A comparison chart between findings from government and telephone survey statistics voting registra‐ tion20

Voting Registration Figures

Government Statistics Telephone Survey

42% (ages 18‐30) 60.7% (ages 18‐29)

20 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 490 reported being registered to vote.

73 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 44: Telephone survey respondents’ voting turnout in the 2008 LegCo election 2008 (n = 490)21

Figure 45: Percentage of telephone survey respondents planning to vote in the 2012 LegCo election (n = 627)22

21 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 490 reported being registered to vote. 22 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 627 were eligible to answer this item (i.e., they will be 18 or older by 2012).

74 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 46: Telephone survey respondents planning to vote in 2012 LegCo election (percentage, n = 627)23

We are also interested in the young generation’s political views. The survey included ques‐ tions from the revised Constitutional Reform Package. Of the 490 registered voters, less than 40% agreed with the revised political reform package, and about 20% had no comment on the topic (Table 29)

Interestingly, those who voted in LegCo election 2008 have drifted from the political party they voted for (Table 30). Over 50% have no favourable candidate or party for the upcoming 2012 LegCo election (see Appendix B – Table 2).

Table 29: Telephone respondents’ views towards the government’s revised Constitutional Reform Package 2012 (n = 490)24

Do you agree with HKSAR Government’s revised Constitutional Reform Package 2012? %

Agree 33.3 Disagree 39.6 No Comment 19.0

23 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 627 were eligible to answer this item (i.e., they will be 18 or older by 2012). 24 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 490 were eligible to answer this item (i.e., they are registered voters).

75 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Table 30: Telephone respondents’ political party or independent candidate voted in LegCo election 2008 (n = 231)25

% Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union (HKCTU) 職工盟 1.3 Democratic Party (DP) 民主黨 15.2 Civic Party (CP) 公民黨 12.1 League of Social Democrats (LSD) 社民連 17.1 Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) 民建聯 8.2 Neighbours and Workers Service (NWS) 街工 0.4 Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) 工聯會 0.9 Association for Democracy and Peopleʹs Livelihood (ADPL) 民協 0.4 Liberal Party (LP) 自由黨 1.7 Blank Vote 白票 1.3 Note: 1. Because they were either under 18 or did not vote in 2008, 789 respondents’ data are not shown here. 2. No other political parties or independent candidates were mentioned by respondents.

25 Out of 1,020 total telephone respondents, 231 were eligible to answer this item (i.e., they were registered voters in the 2008 LegCo election).

76 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Acceptability of Violent Behaviour in the Demonstrations

Violent behaviours in the demonstrations throughout the past eight months have raised public concern. The media largely reported that most of the demonstrators were aggressive and used violence. The survey did not have a question specifically designed to address this concern, but there is indirect evidence in one of the items (Table 31). Respondents were asked whether “the law should always be obeyed even if a particular law is wrong”. Al‐ though 36% agreed, close to 50% of the respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. This gives us a clue, whether or not young geners were actually aggressive, as to how they perceived the demonstrations.

Table 31: Telephone survey respondents’ ethical views (n = 1,020)

Strongly Strongly Agree % Neither % Disagree % Agree % Disagree %

The law should always be obeyed 4.7 31.6 14.3 42.0 7.3 even if a particular law is wrong.

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Views on Hong Kong’s Civic and Political Development

These views contrasted with young geners’ views on political development. One‐third (36%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that “As long as the government maintains good public security and handles matters efficiently, the economy is stable, and the trans‐ port system is good, the issue of whether or not the government is democratic is a secondary one”. In contrast, 46% disagreed or strongly disagreed, and 17% neither agreed nor dis‐ agreed. A similar pattern was found for the item “Hong Kong does not have the conditions to implement democracy”.

Table 32: Telephone survey respondentsʹ views towards governance (n = 1,020)

Strongly Strongly Agree % Neither % Disagree % Agree % Disagree %

As long as the government maintains good public security and handles matters efficiently, the economy is stable, and the 5.2 31.6 17.1 39.4 6.7 transport system is good, the issue of whether or not the government is democratic is a secondary one.

Hong Kong does not have the conditions to implement 4.0 32.1 25.8 31.7 5.9 democracy.

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Results: Semi‐structured Inter‐ views

Semi‐structured interviews were done at the last stage to fill in gaps of interest not covered by the focus groups, the telephone survey, and the online survey.

Demographic Profiles

Figure 47 shows that the semi‐structured interview participants had a similar gender distribution as the focus groups and individual interviews. Males made up 60‐70% of participants. Whereas snowball sampling in the focus groups studies drew more participants aged 20‐29, the semi‐structured interviews drew more interviewees aged 18‐19 (Figure 48).

Figure 47: Gender of focus groups (n = 46) and individual interviews (n = 20)

79 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Figure 48: Age of focus groups (n = 46) and individual interviewees (n = 20)

80 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Education and Aspirations

As with the samples from the telephone and online surveys, the interviewees were fairly well‐educated. Many (40%) have already attained tertiary education, while 20% have at‐ tained post‐graduate degrees. About 30% stopped at Form 5 or below.

Almost all interviewees who were asked about furthering their education said they were considering it. They saw further education as a necessity to stay competitive in the work field, and they felt that holding at least an undergraduate degree is an entrance ticket to the job market.

One of our interviewees, B, is a mother, and she is already dissatisfied with the education system in Hong Kong. She does not agree with the spoon‐fed curriculum; she supports a more holistic system. Children are growing up in an environment where school is a place for competition, after which they all become professionals. She worries that the imbalance of non‐skilled workers and professionals will be a social problem in the future, and she be‐ lieves more moral and ethical education are necessary to cultivate a more upstanding society (Appendix C‐B).

Figure 49: Highest educational attainment in focus groups (n = 46) and individual interviews (n = 20)

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Work and Social Mobility

Figure 50 shows the work fields of the participants form the focus groups and interviews. The most common occupations were students (15‐20%) and community work and social service (34‐35%).

Employment was extensively covered in both the focus groups and here in the semi‐ structured interviews. Interviewees recognized that the older generations’ delay of retirement is slowing work mobility. The fact that advanced education no longer guarantees promotion is distressing to this generation, especially for workers in the clerks, service worker, and shop sales worker group (Appendix B – Table 1).

Interviewee I, who was assigned to work for half a year in China, said that he and people around him had had concerns about going to the Mainland, and they had initially resisted. But once he adjusted, he realized the potential that working in Mainland China can bring, and he will definitely work in the Mainland if another opportunity is available (Appendix C‐I)

Figure 50: Work field of semi‐structured interviews (n = 46) and case interviews participants (n = 20)

82 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Housing Aspirations

As in the telephone and online surveys, a majority of young geners lives with parent(s) in private housing, although some are cohabitating or living in company housing. About 20% live in public housing.

In further discussions, interviewees mentioned wanting to move out to either live alone or with their non‐married partner. They wanted extra rooms and space for activity (Appendix C‐D). They feel frustrated about government‐developer shields to luxurious flats, and this hinders their confidence in their plans to buy homes.

Figure 51: Current living status of focus groups (n = 46) and individual interviews (n = 20)

Figure 52: Current housing type of focus group (n = 46) and individual interview participants (n = 20)

83 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Financial Arrangements and Consumption Patterns

Although not many interviewees were willing to disclose their financial status, some re‐ ported investing in stocks, funds, and bonds. They decried the uselessness of saving at very low interest, so they prefer to make small investments instead of saving.

An interviewee, K, a full‐time student, queued overnight in order to attend the Animation‐ Comic‐Game Hong Kong convention this year. He explained that some exclusive limited edition animation figures can be sold online for up to 20‐30 times the retail price. This sort of buying‐and‐re‐selling is very common. He said this can help him earn extra cash for daily expenditures (Appendix C‐K).

Both the focus group participants and individual interviewees said they did not like to spend much money on shopping—a preference that coincided with the media content anal‐ ysis (Appendix A Table 2). Some interviewees said that goods like clothing are luxuries. In‐ stead of buying luxuries, some prefer do save or spend their money on travelling as time is available. Others buy the goods they want online. I often go to Yahoo Auction (Hong Kong) to purchase clothing she wants. She said the prices there are much cheaper than the general retail stores, and sellers usually give special offers for bulk purchases (Appendix C‐J)

General Mental Health

Interviewees reported being mentally healthy. As these young geners encounter problems (e.g., stress), they prefer to talk to their friends rather than with their family, though family is important to them and always there to turn to. Not many interviewees were likely to seek help. There was no evidence of an increase in stigmatization of the mentally ill or minorities.

One interviewee, Q, bravely disclosed his psychiatric history. He said that patients with mental illness are still stigmatized in Hong Kong. Frankly, he felt great unease about disclos‐ ing his mental history; he said he risked losing his job. He also found private psychiatric treatments in Hong Kong to be quite expensive (Appendix C‐Q)

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Romantic Relationships and Family Planning

Many of the interviewees feel helpless when they think about forming families. Their major hurdle is not having enough money to sustain a nuclear family and raise children. Interest‐ ingly, some interviewees do not see cohabitation as a problem, but they do believe the older generation has a problem with it.

J, who has been in a relationship with her boyfriend over five years, said they are consider‐ ing marrying. But if they choose not to get married, she is willing to move to her boyfriend’s place. Although her family’s moral beliefs are strong, she claimed her parents feel fine with it now, since they have been together for a long time (Appendix C‐J).

Another interviewee, D, has a difficulty common to a lot of students. She was saddled with student loan debts once she finished school. D said the debt is a burden to her and causes her to think twice about having a family and raising a child (Appendix C‐D).

Social Life

The telephone and online surveys did not cover much about young geners’ social activities, but the semi‐structured interviews found that they like to socialize with friends after work or school and during leisure times. They enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Many mentioned exercising (including hiking) and going out to dinner on the weekends (Appen‐ dix C‐H). While some tend to stay home, some go online and play Internet games (Appen‐ dix C‐K). Some prefer to surf the Internet, write blogs about recent happenings in their lives, their thoughts, and their issues that are important to them.

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Public Engagement and Media Use

A number of interviewees remarked on the conservativeness of the Hong Kong government in investing in new communication channels to the public. Conventional modes—like email and phone calls—are ineffective communication channels for collecting the young genera‐ tion’s views. One representative comment came from interviewee P, an active member of the Hong Kong Golden Forum (高登討論區). P criticized the low transparency of government materials and believed that the government invited scholars to write statistical reports just to gain public support and without welcoming public opinions. P also criticized the Finan‐ cial Secretary for refusing to consider student opinions during the budget plan consultation interflow session 2010. P thought that online forums could create a channel to gather voices and provoke discussion, and therein become a discussion tool for the government (Appen‐ dix C‐P)

Many participants—no matter whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the govern‐ ment—demonstrated a considerably low trust in the government’s underlying motivation to communicate with citizens. They had little confidence in the power of the people to influ‐ ence public policy via conventional political processes. For example, R is a pro‐government community leader who has participated in a number of public assemblies in support of the government’s policies. But when R was asked about the way to communicate with the body that R is supporting in action, R tended to be highly doubtful (Appendix C‐R).

Despite such distrust, a few other participants showed initiative in using new media—like online forums and Facebook—to mobilize, organize, and recruit other netizens who share similar views on social issues. This mode of online engagement seems to have become their preferred approach to public participation, rather than the conventional ways of contacting government officers or elected councillors. S’s response is a typical attitude towards online public engagement (Appendix C‐S).

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Conclusions and Recommenda‐ tions

Our young generation is a heterogeneous group that has been portrayed negatively by some of the media as being indifferent and difficult to work with. Our four research methods (fo‐ cus groups, telephone interviews, online surveys, and semi‐structured interviews) revealed a substantial proportion who are well‐educated and respectful of traditional family values, but dissatisfied with the Hong Kong Government (i.e., with its performance counts and its development).

Our findings on voting intentions also show that a decent proportion of young geners is not politically active. The generation carries a strong belief in filial piety, but also a lessened de‐ sire to have children.

Overall: Creating Space for our Young Generation

Hong Kong is a densely populated city. Since the moment these young geners are born, they stat competing for all sorts of things, including hospital beds, school seats, and job opportu‐ nities. Space is crucial for survival. A tangible plan to create more recreational space— including social, mental, physical, and environmental space—is necessary as an investment in our young generation. In order to face the challenges of our rapidly aging population, we absolutely need a healthy and productive young generation. But space is becoming even more of a precious luxury people are fighting for. Concerns about the lack of space perme‐ ated the entire eight months of investigation into our young generation.

The government should consider creating space for our young generation. And a longitudi‐ nal study of this young generation is immediately necessary in order to maintain stability and development.

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Education

The young generation sees bachelor degrees as an entrance pass to the working world. Sadly, seats for tertiary education are clearly insufficient to meet their needs. We see helpless youth and their parents lining up outside IVE school overnight in the hopes of securing matricula‐ tion spots as soon as HKCEE results came out this summer. The seriousness of this desire for education should be met by the support from the government. In the coming years, where double cohorts occur in the effective of 3‐3‐4 school curriculum, university seats for associ‐ ate’s degree graduates will eventually shrink. It is crucial to increase the number of intake places for UGC‐funded degrees. Also, as demand for education increases, more vocational training should be made available for the young generation to boost its world competitive‐ ness. This will help them build practical skills, which are almost always lacking in the intel‐ lectual world nowadays.

Under student loan schemes, students are having to repay debts to the government upon graduation or cessation of studies. Family members often help borrowers repay their loans to lessen borrowers’ burden of the 3.599% interest rate. For students who are self‐financed, their living must be diligent and thrifty. We recommend extending the repayment period and/or reducing the interest rate. For those who have met the requirements but have not been offered a place in UGC‐funded institutes, special loans with no interest should be made available. Hong Kong still has a relative smaller percentage of university graduates in the same age group compared to other Asian countries. For example, in 2000, 24% of Singapore residents aged 25–34 years had obtained at least university qualifications26 (Statistics Singa‐ pore, 2002); whereas only 18% of those aged 15‐29 in Hong Kong had (Census and Statistics Department, 2010).

26 The mid-year estimate of Singapore’s total population in 2010 is 5,076,700, with a residential population of 3,771,700 (Statistics Singapore, 2010).

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Work‐life Balance

Social mobility is not strong at the moment, according to the survey findings. There is an employment trend towards the service industry; this study found an increasing trend of youths working in wholesale and retail industries. Most of the jobs available for young adults in the market are as sales persons, promoters, and other related positions in customer service. These jobs require little academic knowledge, but lots of practical skills that normal education does not offer. The lack of cumulative work experience will possibly restrict the group to this job sector, whirlpooling them in a cycle of downward work mobility.

More on‐the‐job training opportunities and value‐added services in the service industry should be promoted, and relevant technical education programmes should be launched.

Apart from limited job opportunities, long working hours keep young geners away from life pursuits and, in turn, a high quality of life. The UWES revealed limited job satisfaction among the young generation. Quite a number of young geners are not intrinsically moti‐ vated towards their work, and, with the increasing amount of stress, their mental health could suffer. The young generation’s mental well‐being is also turning into one of our great‐ est concerns. Work environments that promote work‐life balance should also be promoted and initiated by the government.

Happiness is here and now. Work‐life balance obviously needs to be to adopted so that em‐ ployees are allowed to leave work on time, though with occasional overtime. They should also be allowed to work from home sometimes for more job flexibility. This will give them sufficient non‐working free time to fulfil their wants of living. This will provide them with space to develop their own interests and advance the skills they need for work. The work‐ life balance principal is also applicable to workers in other age groups and to the community as a whole.

89 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Value‐for‐money Housing

High land and housing prices are distressing the young generation. A lot of the participants reported wanting to have rooftop space where they could enjoy private space for themselves or with their intimate partners. Sadly, their miso‐affluence views are convincing them that they are not likely to reach their aspirations. While some of them have home mortgages, this drains their income while brings and undermines their ability to pursue other personal de‐ velopments, as well as financial activities in society.

Our young generation should be provided with steadily achievable goals to contribute to their home day by day. This value‐for‐money goal‐setting plan has to be reviewed regularly with a predictable harvesting time. Combined with their strong family values, owning a flat/house can help young geners begin to plan families.

Family Planning

This study found strong traditional family values. The young generation is very willing to get married and cohabit. Realistically, there is an increasing trend towards later marriage and not planning to get married. We understand that concerns about work and homeowner‐ ship are partly behind these trends.

The young generation is looking for a comfortable environment, a friends‐and‐family wel‐ come place to nurture their relationship and raise a family. Besides mobile workplaces (e.g., working from home) and flexible hours, there are incentives to encourage family formation that are worth considering and that will help sustain the aging population. Young geners are not necessarily looking for an easy life, but they do want to work for goals that are achiev‐ able.

Cultural, Recreational, and Green Space

The post‐materialistic generation needs cultural, recreational, and green space to make their lives more positive and healthy. More accessible public spaces (e.g., roof gardens) should be opened for leisure meetings and activities. A list of public spaces should also be announced and available on the Internet.

Rising home prices and warehouse relocation are barriers for local artists. Opinions collected from interviews show that the creation of the Kowloon‐West art and cultural district does not help local and young artists to make a living. We advocate creating more natural space in public areas with reasonable rent to maintain their nurturing of arts.

90 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Proactive Communication and Engagement with the Young Generation

Most of the young generation was found to be unconnected to the civic and political devel‐ opment of Hong Kong. It is crucial to expand the means of engagement (both quantitatively and qualitatively) as soon as possible. This should be a bi‐modal approach, including top‐ down and bottom‐up agenda, but with genuine consultation across the community. One of the largest stakeholders in the community is the youth, but their mode of engagement is dif‐ ferent from the usual mode of engagement. For many youth, face‐to‐face meetings in a town hall are not their cup of tea. Web 2.0 tools (e.g., Facebook) may be more effective. Further‐ more, they want to see not just of the method of engagement, but the substance of their en‐ gagement too.

The young generation is net‐savvy. They communicate with the world via online platforms, like Facebook, blogs, SMSs, email, and newspapers (both print and electronic versions). They treasure freedom of speech, which we found to be one of their core values. Henceforth, the Internet is a crucial path to communication and engagement.

Instead of fragmented, piecemeal, and ad‐hoc approach initiated by different departments with various focuses, a high‐level, centralized and inter‐departmental public engagement policy direction should be established. The policy objective is to lay the foundation for citi‐ zenʹs basic right to be engaged by public administrators, the various ways of public en‐ gagement, procedures of proper public consultation, and the mandatory conditions under which the government is committed to responding to the public.

The policy should also be positioned under the broad umbrella of the e‐government or e‐ engagement initiatives, which aim to facilitate the cutting edge information hub position and the state‐of‐art technological infrastructure in Hong Kong. E‐voting system is expected to be a major component of the new e‐engagement policy to support the future direction of universal suffrage and election.

With the policy in place, practical and operational considerations of implementation issues related to e‐engagement system should be diligently reviewed. Oversea experiences (like Number10, White House, and ReachOut described in Appendix D) are important references for such review. Their localization and relevancy to Hong Kong context are beyond the scope of this study and should be rigorously examined.

91 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

To conclude, youth are not necessarily obstacles for policy implementation. They can be seen as a barometer of government performance and an indicator of how much the commu‐ nity accepts certain measures. It is necessary to have a constructive platform to accommo‐ date the young generation’s responsibility, creativity, and passion. This should be a place where they can develop their strength with endurance, an environment without stereotyp‐ ing or compulsive instruction. People from the other generations should try to replace their pride and prejudice with acceptance and tolerance. Beginning in earnest with the young generation is the best way to make progress. Our youth are changing continuously, and they are more in favour of a transparent, accountable, and directly elected government. Indeed their requests are NOT so unreasonable; it is time for policymakers and opinion leaders to take responsibility and look at whether we are simply slipping away and falling behind. It is time that the whole community (including the government and the public) further improves itself and understands each other. We shall need to embrace diversity and accommodate dif‐ ferent views and opinions in policy formulation. The time for change is now.

Our young generation is not only the FUTURE; THEY ARE NOW. They are willing and ready to serve and contribute. Investing in our youth today would not merely be an invest‐ ment; it would be the best insurance for the future of Hong Kong.

92 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

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Research Team

Principal Investigator

Professor Paul S.F. Yip, Ph.D. Department of Social Work and Social Administration Director of the Centre for Suicide Research & Prevention The University of Hong Kong

Co‐investigators

Dr. King‐wa Fu, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor Journalism and Media Studies Centre, The University of Hong Kong

Dr. Paul W. C. Wong Assistant Professor & Clinical Psychologist Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong

Ms. Frances Yik‐wa Law Project Director Centre for Suicide Research & Prevention, The University of Hong Kong

Research Support Team

Ms. Sophia G. Chak

Mr. Rickey Yau

Mr. Jonathan Yeung HKJC Centre for Suicide Research & Prevention, The University of Hong Kong

Mr. Gary Ip Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong

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Appendix A

Appendix A Table 1: Newspaper sources

Frequency %

Apple Daily 蘋果日報 233 11.7

China Daily Hong Kong Edition 18 .9

Hong Kong Commercial Daily 香港商報 67 3.4

Hong Kong Daily News 新報 154 7.7

Hong Kong Economic Journal 信報財經新聞 46 2.3

Hong Kong Economic Times 香港經濟日報 190 9.5

Ming Pao 明報 267 13.4

Oriental Daily News 東方日報 79 4.0

South China Morning Post 南華早報 56 2.8

Sing Pao Daily News 成報 59 3.0

Sing Tao Daily 星島日報 49 2.5

Ta Kung Pao 大公報 60 3.0

The Sun 太陽報 147 7.4

The Standard 26 1.3

Wen Wei Po 文匯報 157 7.9

Others 388 19.4

Total 1996 100.0

*English newspapers are highlighted

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Appendix A Table 2: Interviews and discussion findings, and media content analysis comparison chart

Media Content Analysis Socioeconomic Dimension z 他們剛踏足社會不久，儲蓄較少。 z 皆因○九年畢業生較十年前嘅薪金還要低。 z 對未來就業前景及個人財政狀況感到悲觀 z 本港 20 至 29 歲約 75 萬人，由 1999 至 2008 年收入普遍下降， 2008 年約 13 萬名 20 至 29 歲的青年月入低於 5000 元 z For young people, the median income has dropped from HK$8,200 to HK$7,500. z 相對於 10 年前的同齡人士，普遍學歷較高但收入較低，更隨時因經濟不景而失業。他們當中有少數靠家人支持，繼續享受人生。 z 許多年近三十的年輕人，無法置業成婚，被迫繼續與父母同住，眼白白看着樓價飈升，那種無力和挫折感覺，很容易轉化成對政府和地產商的仇視，甚至認定這些不公平的情况是官商勾結造成的。 z 80 後希望同時進修與置業，故要求更高收入。 z 埋怨升唔到職，人工又低，份工又唔穩定，對將來係睇得好灰。買不到樓又無錢結婚，又要供養父母 z 沒有門路的 80 後一代，縱使有學歷，肯拼搏，每天加班也不過月入萬多元，遠遠供不起房子。 z The public flat is just a stepping stone. z 我們這代的確在競爭學歷，當人人都是大學生時，自己也只不過是平凡中的一員 z 經常被人詬病沒知識、欠經驗 z bright, well‐educated and inquisitive z The post‐80s live in an age of material abundance and economic affluence their lifeʹs paths are severely constrained by their overprotective and supervisory second‐generation par‐ ents, who are determined to prepare them for the competitive world at an early stage. z 青少年失業情況嚴重 z 具備大專學歷，但市場上卻沒有足夠的職位吸納這批人士 z 對港府的就業政策抱怨已久 z 面試時的準備極之不足，其中一樣叫我驚訝的是他們都沒有帶備個人作品 z 我們找不到工作，因為沒有工作我們願意做，「筍工」可能輪不到我，需求學歷太低的又好像不符自己身分，而且薪金亦不會多

z 認為除了「金錢上的回報及利益」之外，工作前景亦是他們留任的主要因素。 z 「80 後」要求工作上有 flexibility，又最怕家長式的訓導。 z Requirements are so high and pay is so low z 向上流動性持續阻塞 z 他們自以為知識水平比第二代人高，但工作上的高職都被第二、第三代人壟斷，因而感到沮喪和不滿。

z 我哋即使有工做，晉升機會都好少，冇乜機會有大作為 z 綜合不少政界中人分析，一致認為 80 後的行動越趨激烈，主要源於 2 字頭的下一代看不見出路，「自覺」如何再努力也不會有向上爬的機會，將一切責任都推向領導層、即特區政府身上，總覺得政府欠了年輕人。

z 80 後向上流的機會減少，令他們就業越來越困難，青年失業、就業不足的情況屢見不鮮。 z 他們的薪金跟前輩有差距，晉升機會較少 z Face fiercer competition in the job market.

101 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report z 大家都不太想當媽媽，假若子女要於香港成長的話。為甚麼？因為香港已進化成一個不是給小孩成長的地方。學校要學生十項全能，社會風氣太功利，除了人工化的遊樂場，就是商廈、豪宅和商場。 z 受訪 80 後思想負面，但大部份人有規劃前途，能承擔家庭和社會責任 z 且要面對成家、置業、養兒育女等等難題，而最令他們頭痛的是高樓價問題，不少人都有同感：「有個屬於自己的家真不易呀！」 z 學生愛流連網絡世界 z 大多為電腦新世代，通過網上連結，一呼百應 z 互聯盟直接影響了這一代大多數人的成長，是我們生活的一大部分 z 擅用錄像技巧，製作動畫放上 YouTube，再在互聯網不同的社交圈子分享 z The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups: 40 % of respondents preferring to vent their feelings on social networking websites. z Post‐80s tend to communicate through blogs and Facebook rather than by talking with family mem‐ bers. z 80 後變得激進的其中一個原因是兩代間、甚至三代間出現了隔膜。上一代的，多以父權式的態度教導下一代，往往認為自己是對的，自我地關閉了溝通的大門。 z 互聯網是一眾「80 後」及「90 後」的青年日常娛樂、社交、搜尋資料及發表意見的重要平台 z 他們大多為電腦新世代，通過網上連結，一呼百應，遇到不平事或訴求不再沉默 z 上班上學途中看着手上的 iPhone，回家直至睡前電腦都和我同在 z 除了利用 msn、sms 等召集支援，亦利用 twitter 發放最新的示威情况，部分人更會留意警察舉動，提醒大家如何準備。 z 「80 後」另一個特徵，就是十分重視朋友間的 networking。透過電腦、利用網絡裏面的身份，不論何時何地與真朋友或假朋友無間斷的連繫。所以，在「80 後」工作的電腦裏面，長期開着的除了與工作有關的版面之外，一定還有 msn、skype、facebook、forums、online games 等等。這現象是「50、60 後」的老闆們最不滿的地方。 z 80 後青年其實也熱衷於創意工業表演，然而在香港這個物質主義社會，可以發揮創意的空間實在有限。 z 資訊太發達會令你迷失，瘋狂吸收資訊同時減少了深入思考的時間，失卻了「尋找」的樂趣；容易於虛擬世界與朋友溝通，令你忘記與「人」溝通的複雜性，甚至與你最接近的父母都會因此疏於「應酬」，難怪 80 後衍生了「御宅族」的一種新生活模式的族群。 z 「香港的樓並不是給香港人買的。」，尚未有能力買樓，更遑論結婚生仔。 z 縱使有學歷，肯拼搏，每天加班也不過月入萬多元，遠遠供不起房子。 z 本港 20 至 29 歲男女總數達 98.8 萬人，佔全港人口 14.1%。若當中 30%計劃自置居所，即有近 30 萬人有置業需要 z 但日後組織家庭時也想置業，月薪卻只得萬餘元，最便宜的樓售價都要逾 100 萬元，擔心根本無法「上車」。 z University students and new graduates in Hong Kong are joining the queue for public flats in increasing numbers. high property prices are the reason for this z My right (to apply for public flat)/ The public flat is just a stepping stone.

Psychosocial Dimension z 普遍視性伴侶及一夜情為等閒 z 金錢上的回報及利益及興趣及趣味性是最能吸引 80 後留任 z 80 後其實是一群抱擁後物質主義（Post‐materialism）的年輕人，當社會愈趨分化，他們就會出現，其激進行動卻會令社會更保守。香港的世代衝突以往不嚴重，但現在卻有 4 個原因令形勢有變，第一、經濟差，貧富懸殊不斷加劇，新一代上位很難；第二、以前的家庭有阿爺，助紓緩大社會的世代壓力；第三、後物質主義影響專上教育學生，以社會學、政治學、文化、語言學、藝術學生為甚；第四、互聯網令年輕一代更易接觸後物質主義，選擇自己喜

102 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

歡的資訊，能透過 facebook、討論區，與同聲同氣的人建立網絡，更易走向偏激。 z 其實不是講錢，而是講理想，即香港這個家，應該是怎樣的，例如拆天星，那些 80 後也不是講錢的，而是講理想家園應如何。 z 商業主義的推崇，慢慢地一步一步將人原有的價值觀逐漸改變,扭曲 z 反思那些傳統的人的價值問題 z 「80 後」對他人的評價並不在乎，他們在乎的是自己的想法和行為；無論大眾對他們抱有正面或負面的評價，「80 後」都無意澄清。 z 80 後的心態是,他們未必把工作排在第一位,卻是把生活放在第一 z 關注社會每一件事，對香港的歸屬感高於之前的兩三代香港人，他們無既定組織、領導，只以電腦網絡為聯繫及動員平台，但有共同核心思想，就是要求社會公平及公義 z 他們其實可能較前幾代港人更愛香港和國家，對家國有更深的投入感，對社會事務有一份激情，更願意站出來大膽地表達他們的看法 z 80 後都認為工作只是人生的一部分，要「play hard, work hard」享受生活才算理想人生。其實 80 後中有很多都是 30 歲上下受過高等教育的香港市民，對香港的城市規劃、政治、經濟、教育、醫療各方面都有自己的想法。 z 不滿意個人生活質素者 z 公正、公平與公義—這也許是 80 後上街的終極原因 z 佢地今次為香港褔址發聲,目的更崇高 z 「我們感覺不到那種進步和文明……反而是一種懨悶」，他批評商場內都是一式一樣的跨國名牌，「消費場所都是無歷史、無街坊、無故事的地方。」 z 「80 後」為全香港提出了一個最迫切的問題，那就是：除了錢，香港還需要甚麼？ Positive z 其實更愛香港,更愛表達 z 80 後特質，也愛表達自我、為理想打拼，為夢想創業、為自己認為正確的事去燃燒青春。 z 80 後的學生，則比較能考慮別人的感受，自我保護意識沒有那麼明顯，懂得包容別人觀點 z 80 後的學生，都曾被批評為自我中心，但現在卻湧現一批爭取社會公義的 80 後青年。 z 六十後嘅中文大學校長沈祖堯早前就力撐班反高鐵嘅八十後，話佢哋只係積極而唔係激進 z 這種熱血和熱誠，應予以全面肯定。他們的積極和努力，也令我感受到香港有前途。 z 80 後沒有迷惘，很清晰，很正面，並非抱怨，而是反省 z 積極參與社會，有極強的動員能力。 z 個性自主，著重個人感受 z 不能籠統說 80 後青年就是激進，其中亦有比較理性、和諧及講道理的一群。 z 不應將激烈的示威者與「80 後」畫上等號。 z Mostly bright, well‐educated and inquisitive. Neutral z 「80 後」其實是一種運動認同（movement identity），是在社會運動中打造的身分認同，一種身分的論述。 z 例如斷定所有八十後的年輕人就是激進、不理智、憤世嫉俗等，這未免太過以偏概全，容易引致社會更大分化。 z 有份參與的「80 後」青年，竟然是在事前一個多月才「拉雜成軍」的，無主席、組織無會員名單，開會地點亦變幻莫測，意見滿天飛，決定了便做，青年人的率性而為與特立獨行可見一斑。 z 社會上很多聲音形容八十後是激進派，我認為是激情才對 Negative z 「80 後」就不愛妥協，無組織，也無大佬，個人英雄主義強，覺得 30、40、50 世代那套過時老套，甚至有代溝。 z 討厭畀民建聯同埋政府話『80 後』激進 z 現今「80 後」總是給人懶散、自我的感覺 z 「製造麻煩者」 z 「80 後」出生的更富裕，更開放及更自由，豐衣足食才有時間思考，為何不好好利用父母和祖先辛苦建立得來的社會優勢，把力量團結，應用多年所學，實際地作出貢獻

103 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report z 「80 後」被人稱之為「激青」，類似於內地的所謂「憤青」，但是很多同是「80 後」的人，就紛紛向我表示要與「激青」「劃清界線」，認為「80 後」不應該就此被人「騎劫」，他們笑說︰我們是「標青」才對！「標青」者，出色的成功人士是也。 z 按照社會上通行的說法，80 後、90 後農民工被稱為「二代農民工」，富人的子女則被稱為「富二代」。這種身份標籤式的稱呼，將兩個群體劃分開來，既是出於財富上的定義，也涵蓋了不同的出身環境。如今，兩個群體都不再認同自己的身份標籤了，覺得需要換個說法。 z 乍一看去他們粗魯他們下流他們天天無所事事。但是，請你靜下心來仔細看，粗暴的外表下演示的是一顆顆讓我感動的愛國心。如果你注意你都會發現，作為一個中國人，我敢說，他們每個人都愛國。 z 80 後在創意、視野方面較為優勝。無論在學校或透過網絡世界，他們可以掌握的知識較之前 3 代人更豐富、更廣闊。 z 「八十後」的特質是有活力和創新，但較為自我中心，工作時則較重視金錢回報。 z 自認「靈活變通」、「創新」及「有活力」。 z They are creative, and need work to be fun. They want their voices heard z 張建宗對於年輕人的活力及創意有深刻的印象 z 擅長製作圖像、對空間敏銳，也夠膽。 z 本來一群充滿活力創意的「80 後」所發起的反高鐵行動是如斯義正辭嚴，卻遭小部分人的非理性行為蒙上污點。 z 「80 後」被人稱之為「激青」，類似於內地的所謂「憤青」，但是很多同是「80 後」的人，就紛紛向我表示要與「激青」「劃清界線」，認為「80 後」不應該就此被人「騎劫」，他們笑說︰我們是「標青」才對！「標青」者，出色的成功人士是也。 z 「八十後唔一定要激進咁呻冇工做！」一批八十後年輕人無選擇上街示威，而是將對港府不滿的怨氣轉化成創意，將在年宵攤位賣「煲呔虎」咕，令巿民可對煲呔虎「搓圓□扁」發洩一番。亦有青年創作「武虎腦」吹氣頭套，寓意將經濟不景及豬流瘟疫拋諸腦後迎新年。有參與年宵的青年指畢業九個月仍失業，亦有指晉升機會微，但與其埋怨，不如趁逆境創業累積經驗，裝備自己更實際。 z 香港的 80 後怨氣頗多，多是抱怨難上位、樓價高、高學歷低收入等。 z 香港基督教服務處於本周透露，香港的「80 後」是最不快樂和無望的一群，四成承認有輕度至嚴重的抑鬱症症狀。起薪點低至令人沮喪，晉升或加薪的希望亦非常渺茫。 z 「80 後」群組僱員的「希望感」僅四十六點八分，低於美國心理學家的設計量表平均四十八分之水平；他們的快樂指數亦僅四點一四分，低於平均四點五分水平。四成的「80 後」僱員焦慮狀況達中度至嚴重程度，近一成更已出現中度或嚴重的抑鬱徵狀。負責調查的機構分析指出，「80 後」投身社會正值經濟不景，較難獲晉升機會 z 去年的一個社會調查顯示：有近一成半至二成七的學生，因家庭受失業、開工不足、投資失利等困擾，由於家庭氣氛轉趨緊張，有近半人表示會心情低落、發脾氣及與人爭吵，另逾一成學生坦言曾因此萌生死念。 z 「80 後」的青少年各方面的信心包括就業前景、個人財政狀況及消費意慾，均較其他年齡組別的消費者更為悲觀。 z Everybody around me has a degree or a professional qualification. Requirements are so high and pay is so low. Life is tough

Civic Engagement z 手機是 80 後很重要的工具 z 對「N 世代」而言，電腦已經由運算機器變為連線和協作的工具，同時亦是跟世界接軌的介面 z 社運人士開始利用電台頻道 FM101 進行非法廣播 z 不贊成舉行網上論壇及網上諮詢，因不少網民會匿名發言，擔心會造成謾罵及紛爭 z 互聯網是一眾「80 後」及「90 後」的青年日常娛樂、社交、搜尋資料及發表意見的重要平台 z 陳巧文認為要尋找創新抗爭方式及渠道，才可突圍而出。 z The government must recognize this and take note of the views of the public, which are expressed online. z 言論自由和資料流通是香港社會進步和發展的重要基石，特區政府非常重視和保障言論自由

104 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report z 近年網上言論的確引起很多社會問題，要改善，要解決，大家可以做的，其實又不多，束手無策 z 80 後要求在「城市論壇」公開對話，不要「臨時臨急」網上討論。 z 本港高官因應 80 後成社會話題，方才「臨急臨忙」上 Facebook 交流，注定要被時代唾棄 z Facebook 開設留言版狼批做騷兼無誠意，又指早上不是網民活躍時間，又沒有即時回應，是錯誤使用 facebook 的示範，只純屬單向溝通 z 一個群組只開 3 小時收集問題，那些起初以為是以 facebook 方式溝通的網民，會很失望，因為原來這跟一個論壇網上直播，留有 mail box 跟大家留言沒有分別，純屬單向溝通 z 認為政府偏幫大地產商 z 對於本港的貧富懸殊、教育政策以至樓價過高等問題均感到不平 z 反省的是政府，為何沒有將民眾聲音成為決策的一部分 z 無論結果如何，輸嘅都係政府。今次事件已經顯示咗政府對基層嘅冷漠，亦都顯示咗議會制度嘅荒謬，點可以畀功能組別主宰到香港嘅命運？ z 當下社會面對的問題不是物質的匱乏，而是其分配是否公義的問題，青年抗爭者談的，是家園、歷史、自主和尊重這些後物質的訴求，而這些價值從來都不被政府重視 z Government has been ignoring their opinions which oppose to its own. z Through their rail link protests they have shown that the government has failed to listen to the views of Hong Kong people. If this continues I think we will see a growth of the post‐ 80s movement z 雖然這班「80 後」青年人的手法比較激進，但只要給青年人公平公正公開的平台，他們是願意溝通的。今次衝突的發生，是因為這批青年人透過書信、苦行、絕食等平靜的渠道爭取後，政府仍沒有回應，亦沒有和他們接觸，才使他們「永遠在欄杆背後」，以抗爭對抗 z 現在經常聽到「80 後、90 後」沒有機會、沒有渠道為香港做事，問題正正是這群組難「上位」，連對社會發展提出不滿意見都沒有渠道，更遑論要他們積極地參政議政 z 夾生用毫不認識毫不掌握的工具，跟完全陌生甚至充滿敵意的群體進行所謂溝通，只會落得個一敗塗地的下場 z 特首曾蔭權「翻叮」05 年政改方案，強迫市民接受，多名 80 後的大學學生會幹事指方案既沒有取消功能組別，也沒有改變特首小圈子選舉，批評曾蔭權未曾盡力向北京反映港人民主訴求，以致方案脫離公眾期望，市民無義務體諒他的困難。 z 參與苦行代表我們要承擔及保護社區及公帑，希望有更多人見到後會反省 z 曾蔭權口口聲聲說要跟年輕人溝通。高鐵事件夠多年輕人出來表達罷，他不單沒有聆聽，之後還要在這班人的傷口上灑鹽……我對這位特首已經完全死心。 z 他們不止反高鐵而已，而是希望社會不要只追求高速發展，有更多另類價值如保育、環保，不是應該同樣值得社會關注嗎 z 他們需要的是發表創意的渠道，高鐵是物質上的連接，特區政府到目前為止，依然只能看見物質，而一再忽略精神上的需求 z 現行政府的諮詢對象只有少部分大型機構代表，往往忽略了少數持份者(minority party)的意見，上述建議是為更全面兼顧各群組(group)的年輕人 z 社運人士開始利用電台頻道 FM101 進行非法廣播 z 反高鐵大聯盟的陳景輝表示，如政府官員不改變態度，即使在網上與 80 後青年溝通，也是沒有用的。陳景輝在電台節目中表示，他們反對興建高鐵過程中，感受到政府官員不願溝通，有官員拒與他們同台辯論 z 社民連議員梁國雄要求曾蔭權，與一班在立法會門外斷食的青年對話：「不需兩分鐘，外面風平浪靜，請你外出，回答他們兩個問題。」但曾蔭權未有理會：「群情很高漲時，突然間溝通，未必是一個最好的場合。」 z 「80 後」的激進其實是倣效「80 前」的行為，批評當局無資格指「80 後」過激，他警告若當局往後的諮詢均草草了事的話，只會引發更多青年人走上街頭抗議。 z 「80 後」青年人對社會現狀的強烈不滿更加猛烈地發泄出來，「高鐵事件」演變成頗具火藥味的衝突，是這一類發泄的開始而不是結束。 z 不滿反高鐵示威者恃着有自由示威的權利而衝擊立法會、滋事合理化。 z 當晚示威期間，部分「80 後」青少年的言行態度猶如參加嘉年華，有示威者羞辱當值警員。他們在現場發起最俊男警選舉，玩弄現場緊守崗位的警員，及後更有女示威者走到「勝出」

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的男警身旁，作狀欲跟他合照，觸發一陣陣哄笑聲。又有示威者趁電視台記者作現場報道時，不斷大聲呼叫，滋擾記者報道。 z 陳景輝昨於電台節目稱，當晚越過鐵馬的示威者只屬少數，但問題未算嚴重，警方毋須過份緊張，而警方設置的鐵馬也不一定合理；但他說不認同擲水樽行為。 z 示威人士當時並沒有襲擊任何人，只是移開鐵馬，而胡椒噴霧是較高級的武力，不適合用來對付他們。 z 既有警員全副武裝手持防暴盾牌，以胡椒噴霧攻擊示威者，亦有警員在無傳媒之處對示威者扣頸、推倒在地等，做法顯示赤裸裸暴力，亦將示威者當成暴民。 z 立法會另一邊，是 6 名斷食 120 小時的反高鐵 80 後青年，昨午特首曾蔭權到達立法會出席答問大會時，斷食者要求跟他對話，但特首只接了請願信，斷食者之一的黃衍仁對此沒有半點失望：「因為本身並無期望！」倘若有機會跟特首對話，黃說，只希望特首聽聽他們反高鐵原因。 z Facebook 近日出現多個反高鐵群組，當中一個更名為「這是一個警告：我們對狗官沒有耐性，已準備暴動及流血」，加入人數近一千一百人。發起人稱，群組非純粹針對反高鐵，強調無意透過群組籌劃「暴動及流血」抗爭。 z 元旦遊行當日，遊行人士與警方於中聯辦門外爆發衝突，當中包括一群八十年代以後出生的青年，有「80 後青年」否認遊行人士行為過激，反指警方在中聯辦門外擺設重重鐵欄，阻礙遊行人士表達訴求，是安排失當。 z There was nothing wrong with demonstrations as long as they were peaceful. They should not label the twenty‐something generation as a group of radicals, because in every age group there were both conservative and vocal views z Critical to be too impetuous. Author believes only a few among the group will use violence to voice their complaint; most of them will use a more peaceful method. Government has been ignoring their opinions which oppose to its own. z It is not that I am in total support of the rail project or that I am indifferent. I believe there are better options and costs could be reduced. I have been involved in many Internet dis‐ cussions on this subject and I have read the comments of those opposed to the govern‐ mentʹs plan. The reason I have not joined the protesters is because I do not agree with what they are doing. z 一個社會的出路，不在傲慢的特權交易，也不在暴力與恐嚇，它只能在一個鼓勵人行使良知的、開放的制度中被尋到。 z 「反高鐵的 80 後示威者，有大半都是不滿功能組別，如果政府能夠在 5 區請辭前取消功能組別，能將部分 80 後的示威者不滿減至最低，到時公投的力量未必這樣大。」 z 多名發言的「80 後」大學生代表均支持特區政府提出的政改諮詢方案，指香港的政制發展必須遵從《基本法》的規定與人大常委會在 2007 年的《決定》，穩步向前走，而政制發展太過急進對香港未必是一件好事，反對派要求的所謂「2012 年雙普選」做法並不務實。 z 香港政制發展至少要踏出第一步，如果一步也不走，很難前進。 z 多名參與「香港青年、學生政制發展諮詢研討會」的「80 後」大學生代表，均批評反對派此舉意在否定《基本法》和人大常委會於 07 年就香港普選問題所作的「決定」，而力推所謂「公投」的「公社連」中，不乏擁有法律專業背景者，卻主導推動這個沒有法律基礎的所謂「公投」，完全是錯誤的做法，只會干擾香港政制向前發展的步伐，更不利於香港未來發展。 z 對五十代以至整個香港建制的不滿可分兩大部分，先是與個人事業及前程有關的，功利一點的說法是「前路茫茫、上位無望」；然後則是政治權力的分配。政治上的不滿比上述的第一部分更隨意；更抽象、更多元、更自我、更難有共識，不易歸類，但亦更變化多端，令人認為是建制不易捉摸。 z 壓迫愈大，反抗愈大，有這樣的諮詢不周、這樣的強行通過撥款手法，80 後強烈反抗，也就不足為奇。 z 在商界眼中，要解決深層次矛盾，絕非可以單靠經濟手段，例如今天常說的 80 後年輕人問題、新世代對前途沒有信心、繼而選取激進社會抗爭路線，令階級矛盾進一步惡化，這不是單靠經濟手段可以解決，也不是多搞幾個優勢產業就能移走問題。

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Appendix A Table 3: Interview and discussion findings

Sub‐themes Focus‐group

Socioeconomic status z 感到儲蓄困難 and financial depend‐ z 有金錢管理的認識 ence

Living arrangements z 對地產商只是不斷興建豪宅感到無奈 and plans z 希望把部份的資金用作買樓置業,但不希望作一世奴隸

2 z 政府應該增加學位及資助學位課程 z 覺得現今的教育制度不能提升香港的競爭力

z 課程昂貴，令很多人一畢業便付長債 Education z 副學生課程嘗未完全被社會接納 z 教育制度令他們「不中不英」 z 家人會干擾大學修讀科目的決定 z 大學可選修的學科範圍未夠廣闊，或是很多較偏的科目並沒有發展的空間

z 大學學位是工作的入場卷 z 政府在刺激就業的援助上不夠全面 Career plan z 持續進修是必要的，大部份人亦有進修的打算，以提升工作機會 z 有部份人覺得人際機遇比學歷及重要，而學歷只是人際以外的必需品

z 退休年齡長的時候形成他們向上流的阻 Social mobility z 如果願意上大陸發展，機會比香港多

3 z 生孩子要考慮經濟，要用錢,怎樣教育他是另外一個關鍵因素，遲婚的話，不會想生孩子。

Family planning z 結婚是個人的事。會想結婚，亦會想成家立室。

z 有部份人覺得婚姻是順其自然的，要發生的自然會發生 Romantic/couple rela‐ z 贊成同居及視同居有好處,可以了解對方。 tionships 4

107 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Support from family, z 喜歡用網上的方法跟朋友聯絡 e.g. msn, facebook relatives, friends, and z 網上溝通更能表達自己,但也希望見面增進關係 community resources z 情緒問題會找認識的人幫助，技術上的問題則會尋求互聯網上的知識幫忙 z 非常需要朋友作鼓勵和支持 z 很少願意跟家人分享心事 z 部份人感覺尋找專業人士會有壓力，因為他們是陌生人，很難盡情抒發感受

5 z 大部份人喜歡跟朋友消遣 z 大部份被訪者皆有運動的習慣 Social life: Habit, sport z 甚少有不同類型的娛樂，覺得娛樂空間不足 z 部份被訪者有參與宗教團體活動 Social life: Pop culture z 部份人會有打 blog 抒發心情 (甚至上網分享比朋友睇) and sub‐cultures Social life: Consump‐ z 會選擇逛街，但不太會購物 tion patterns

6 z 對於置業感到有壓力及困難 z 想先擁有一個「家」然後組織家庭 Housing needs z 想搬離父母 z 政府沒有提供協助「上車」

Housing aspirations z 覺得「上車」買樓是脫貧的表現

Acceptance of diver‐ z 對同性戀較以前抱開放的態度 sity and attitudes to‐ z 信仰能給予青年人精神上的支持 wards post‐ materialism, religios‐ ity, and spirituality z 對保留純文化等價值，包括文化及藝術，有堅定的立場。 z z 部份人認為港人缺乏自身價值 Worldview, values of z 覺得有自己的時間做自己喜歡的事是很重要的 (個人化) life z 部份人覺得社會間的歧視除了膚色或重族外，還有金錢上的歧視

8 z 對自己身為香港人比中國人較有優越感 Personality: Identifica‐z 感到香港人有自己獨特的一面 tion z 對中國的印象欠佳／不文明

z 對精神健康的認知不是太高 General mental health z 接受精神病患者,意識到病例越來越多

z 認為香港的工作環境給予太多壓力

108 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

z 私人精神科收費貴

z 傾向找朋友傾訴心事 Help‐seeking, service utilization z 認識尋求協助方法,但未必能接受自己去求助

Resilience, strengths, z 認為香港的工作環境給他們壓力 and achievements

10 z 半數的被訪者選擇看報紙多於網上報紙，認為網上報紙內文較短及不夠全面

z 比較容易接觸外地資訊 New/ traditional me‐ dia use z 認為 facebook 的 share 鍵很有用，會在 facebook 分享新聞

z 不會盡信報章的報導 z 被訪者批評政府使用 facebook 跟市民溝通的方法 Facebook use

11 z 認為官商勾結是重大的問題 z 官商勾結暴露，公平競爭失敗 Attitudes towards z 認為政府選舉性聆聽訴求 public governance z 政府缺乏與公眾之間有效的互動 z 政府及公務員態度散慢，欠缺創造力 z 政府人物／政府官員的回答很公式化，感到他們很虛偽

12 z 政治參與是自願和自發的，但亦需要有組識才能進行 Civic participation z 民間電台的聲音漸成一肢具影響力的勢力

z Facebook 是非常重要收發資訊的平台

z 希望對政府的資詢可以夫高透明度

z 溝通渠道落後，應增加多媒體渠道進一步了解市民的需要，容許發揮及給予聆聽

z 只有集會/遊行/示威才能直接引起社會的關注 Preferred mode of o 是部份被訪者的表達意見渠道 engagement z 一部份人支持五區公投的精神，但仍會覺得香港市民還未有足夠的政治意識去進行公投

13 z 被訪者認為警方的力量從 05/06 年起加強只有集會遊行示威才能直接引起社會的關注 Acceptability of vio‐ z / / 是部份被訪者的表達意見渠道 lent behaviours o z 大部份的被訪者都不贊同激進的行為表達意見，他們認為進行此舉的高鐵示威者只是某部份人

14 z 社會不夠開放在迎接／接受新事物和思維，回歸後只承接港英政府留下來的基建生存。香港回歸後沒有進步過，仍然被英國政府的基建牽著鼻子走 Hong Kong civic and z 有六大業的想法是好，但沒有見到正面的發展 political development z 產 z 總括而言對香港前途感不明和較悲觀

109 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix A Table 4: Cooperation rate

A sample of 65,484 telephone numbers was drawn for contact. These numbers are grouped by different kinds of contact status as follows:

Type Final status of contacts Number of cases

1 Success 1,020

2 Partial 102

3 Refusal 901

4 Business number 134

5 Not available 6,622

6 No answer 10,685

7 Busy tone 11,003

8 Answering machine 1,722

9 Invalid 17,522

10 Ineligible 8,131

11 Language 16

12 Out of signal range 7,626

Total 65,484

110 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Overall Cooperation Rate

= (success) / (success + refusals by targeted respondents + partial)

= 1,020 / (1,020 + 901 + 102)

= 50.4%

Definition

Ineligible: Respondents aged below 15 or above 29

Success: Eligible respondents who completed the interview

Partial: Eligible respondents who initially accepted the interview but failed to complete the interview

Refusal: Eligible respondents who refused the interview

Not available: Eligible respondents unable to conduct the interview at that time

No answer: No answer to the phone call

Invalid: Not a valid telephone number

Language: Eligible respondents who were not able to speak clearly in any of our three languages

Out of signal range: 「電話暫時未能接通，請遲 D 再打過來」

111 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix B

Appendix B – Table 1: A cross‐tabulation table of the social mobility of the young generation (n = 1,020)

Respondents’ father’s occupation when he/she was 15 years.

Shop and

and

Machine Service

and Worker

and Others

and workers

Associate Assemblers Elementary Occupations Unemployed Professionals Professionals Sales Managers Operators Clerks, Administrators Craft Worker Plant Total

Count Mangers and 4 1 1 4 2 3 5 0 5 25 Administrators % within Q17. 6.2% 1.7% 4.2% 2.8% 1.4% 2.1% 4.9% 0.0% 1.7% 2.5% Occupation Count 3 6 0 4 5 5 4 2 21 50 Professionals % within Q17. 4.6% 10.2% 0.0% 2.8% 3.5% 3.5% 3.9% 5.3% 7.0% 4.9% Count Respondents’ Associate 9 1 5 12 14 14 10 1 33 99 Professionals % within Q17. 13.8% 1.7% 20.8% 8.3% 9.7% 9.9% 9.8% 2.6% 11.0% 9.7% Count Clerks, Service 19 11 2 43 44 43 26 10 89 287 Workers, and % within Shop Sales Q17. Workers 29.2% 18.6% 8.3% 29.7% 30.6% 30.3% 25.5% 26.3% 29.6% 28.1%

Count Craft and 0 0 0 0 6 1 1 3 4 15 Related Workers % within Q17. 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.2% 0.7% 1.0% 7.9% 1.3% 1.5% Count Plant and Ma‐ 0 0 0 1 1 5 3 0 3 13 chine Operators % within and Assemblers Q17. 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 0.7% 3.5% 2.9% 0.0% 1.0% 1.3% Count Elementary 0 0 0 4 5 4 6 0 5 24 Occupations % within Q17. 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 2.8% 3.5% 2.8% 5.9% 0.0% 1.7% 2.4% Count 3 1 1 9 4 2 3 4 9 36 Unemployed % within Q17. 4.6% 1.7% 4.2% 6.2% 2.8% 1.4% 2.9% 10.5% 3.0% 3.5% Count 27 39 15 68 63 65 44 18 132 471 Others % within Q17. 41.5% 66.1% 62.5% 46.9% 43.8% 45.8% 31.0% 47.4% 43.9% 46.2%

Total Count 65 59 24 145 144 142 102 38 301 1,020

% within 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Q17.

112 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix B – Table 2: A Cross‐tabulation of voting patterns of telephone survey respondents in the LegCo election (n = 1,020)

那麼您會投給哪個政黨或獨立候選人呢? Which political party or independent candidate will you vote for in LegCo 2012? 不知道職工盟民主黨公民黨社民連民建聯其他政黨 (Don’t 拒絕回答 (HKCTU) (DP) (CP) (LSD) (DAB) (Others) Know) (Refused) Total 您投給了哪個職工盟 Count 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 政黨或獨立候 (HKCTU) 選人呢? Can you name the 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 66.7% 0.0% 100.0% political party 民主黨 (DP) Count or independ‐ 0 15 0 2 0 0 14 0 31 ent candidate you voted for 0.0% 48.4% 0.0% 6.5% 0.0% 0.0% 45.2% 0.0% 100.0% in LegCo 公民黨(CP) Count 2008? 0 2 10 0 0 0 13 0 25

0.0% 8.0% 40.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 52.0% 0.0% 100.0% 社民連(LSD) Count 0 1 2 12 0 1 24 0 40

0.0% 2.5% 5.0% 30.0% 0.0% 2.5% 60.0% 0.0% 100.0%

街工(NWS) Count 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 100.0%

民建聯(DAB) Count 0 0 0 0 8 0 10 0 18

0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 44.4% 0.0% 55.6% 0.0% 100.0%

其他政黨 Count (Others) 0 1 1 1 0 3 11 0 17

0.0% 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 0.0% 17.6% 64.7% 0.0% 100.0%

不知道 Count (Don’t Know) 0 3 0 2 0 0 44 0 50

0.0% 6.0% 0.0% 4.0% 0.0% 0.0% 88.0% 0.0% 100.0% 拒絕回答 Count 0 1 0 1 0 0 10 8 20 (Refused)

0.0% 5.0% 0.0% 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 40.0% 100.0% 白票 Count 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 (Blank Vote)

0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 100.0%

Total Count 1 23 13 18 8 3 132 8 208 0.5% 11.1% 6.2% 8.7% 3.8% 1.4% 63.5% 3.8% 100.0%

113 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C

Appendix C‐A

A: 我覺得依家即係近年多左 80 後黎討論政事，係香港的政治社會，或者係立法會都有一個新的景象都係一件好事黎既。譬如有人會話係相對激烈，但相對激烈下都可以配襯到 80 後一個思想其實都何樂而不為。

Appendix C‐B

B：先是教育制度，現時是劃一的，看中的是考試，例如會考，我覺得教育局的政策有問題，他們計算成績是拉 curve 的，那樣首先會製造失敗者，不重視每個人的獨立性，要求學生像是倒模出來的複製人。小學、中學到入大學整個篩選程序，我生了小孩後到 IVE 讀環保，當時算是年紀稍大的，看見很多十來歲入不了大學轉收 IVE 的同學仔，有不少在讀書以外很有才華，只是一直沒有受到肯定。雖然讀 IVE 後有些學生也會變成專業人士，但最近政府推出了六大科技產業，還是什麼創意工業……

訪問員﹕ 想再多談教育一點，剛才你提到對教育有憂慮，政府現在有新高中制度、教育改革，那些……

B：其實只是另一些名目，我曾在學校工作，教育其實離不開人與人之間的關係，老師不是要教小朋友做什麼，而是真心培育小朋友。政府就鑽了牛角尖，做教改等多重功夫，令教育改革是行政主導，行政多於一切，其實這是在勞役老師，他們的時間都拿去交功課了。老師要應付校長，校長要應付教育局，還有多少時間心力能放在小朋友身上，小朋友其實不會因此有得着，大家卻因此為做而做交功課，不會教得出好的人，因此「港童」出現是自然現象。小朋友成長需要有愛、時間、關懷，也需要空閒發展自己，在香港完全不能得到這些。我會這樣看是因為曾離港找尋一些更整全的教育方式，去不同地方學習有關全人教育，發現花在小朋友的時間多寡，跟成年人的生活模式對小朋友的影響極大，其實什麼教育改革也不用的。

B：最大的問題是太着重單一發展。香港所有事情都是單一化，不論是居住、生活、工作就業、教育，都是同一模式。以人生為例，小朋友起就要背誦，不單要接受填鴨式教育，還要多向學習，我有小朋友，所以特別對此關注。畢業後工作，又一定要做些能賺錢的工作，以金錢回報決定一個人成功與否，其實賺錢的工作，也不外乎投機、炒樓、買樓或銷售員服務型行業，相反生產業或有關個人發展的行業在香港被嚴重忽略，例如藝術家在外國也難以糊口，何況是在香港？因此我覺得整個經濟發展模式出了很大問題，我個人比較關心農業、環境事務等，我不是要香港變成農業社會，但我覺得應該為這些行業保留空間，而非如此單一發展，大家應該互相包容及尊重，但香港發展模式令其他東西失去生存空間，我覺得這是最大問題。

訪問員﹕ 那麼你是覺得香港無法提供稍為另類的選舉？

B：對，今天的現象就是政策發展造成的。

114 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

訪問員﹕ 你覺得政府有什麼可……

B：因為政府政策上沒有照顧其他行業的發展，一直保護高產值行業的發展，未理會香港沒有農業政策，教育制度也沒有教我們發展其他才能，只是灌輸我們要讀書成績好，讀商科，就好像 Scientist, 連投資科研的資源也不多，也沒有鼓勵學生多發明，只教大家如何進入大企業。

Appendix C‐C

我就覺得主要問題係買樓,姐係我唔係講點解我做左咁耐野都仲買唔到樓,同埋點解 D 樓價係咁貴,咁每一年都有人結婚,每一年都有人搬出黎住,咁又趕唔趕得切

我係想搬出黎住,但係呢個真係 impossible, 因為自己想搬出黎住但係自己又冇錢買樓,政府冇 policy 幫 D 人上車,我想問佢而家想點姐,姐係政府而家知道有呢個問題,但係又唔解決, ,咁你人咁大個仲同屋企人住,我覺得唔係幾好囉.

Appendix C‐D

訪問員﹕你們…舉個例…你剛才說需要再多學一些，再去想。比如說…需要支持，助你進修，再培訓，你覺得自己最理想…在那一方面再進修，會比較好一點﹖…你覺得有沒有需要﹖

D: 有的…其實我也在讀書…在讀公開大學，想讀一個學位…始終…始終香港也很著重學位這東西。自己有一個學位在手，未來升職的機會也會大一點。…其實培訓…公司一直也有…每年都有一些跟警方，跟其他人員…保安合作。這些課程，也有叫我們去上那些課程。那些…我覺也很足夠。

訪問員﹕即是你還是期望自己一步一步，在這一類型的行業來有進升的機會…除了工作方面，你這樣看自己未來的數年，例如你也有一位(男)朋友，有沒有想過組織家庭﹖有沒有想過置業，有沒有想過其他的一些計劃﹖ D:家庭方面還未想到。置業方面…反而自己想搬出去…因為我的工作時間很影響家人。因為我自己都… 如果是夜班，要凌晨二時多才回家。會吵醒家人…一打開門的時候。如果上早班，四時多就要出門，都很影響家人的作息時間，所以想過自己搬出去。但是現在的樓價也真的太高，

訪問員﹕好了…對你來說…有一個自己的空間會好一點…你覺得現在在香港的環境，是不能幫你(置業)﹖ D:其實幫不了…它沒有政策是幫助青年人置業。

訪問員﹕為什麼呢﹖因為你已經有一個比較穩定的職業，其實你工作的收入…某程度上…政府都會說，你可以支持自己的生活，為什麼仍然覺得有需要(置業)呢﹖

D:如果你現在在香港租一個正常的單位。比如我要上班的，大數會選在工作地點附近的地方租屋，但也需要 5,6 千元，但我現在還要進修呢…也要付學費，另外也要給家用。還要繳付之前讀書的貸款，變相錢也不太夠用。

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Appendix C‐E

E: 咪就話囉, 你擺係銀行又冇用嘅喎, 但係好大問題, 就係你咁係咪, 但, 咁咪焗住你, 可能焗住你去買樓, 或者焗住你叫你就去投資果啲, 咁, 咁但係講真, 即係, 係唔係真係有咁多人識投資呢, 即係, 好多時都 check number, 唔知咩黎呀, 不如買喇買喇, 唔知邊個話好呀, 咁樣, 即, 跟本上就形成咁一個投機嘅風氣, 咁樣係唔係一件好事黎呢

Appendix C‐F

訪問員﹕ 即是你不會覺得這有困難的。剛才講到你對於家庭開支的看法，不如我順著這個方向多問一些。你怎麼形容自己的消費狀況呢？因為你剛才講過自己大使，那麼你通常會花錢在哪一方面比較多呢？

F: 我什麼都會買的。我不會安排自己的消費的，可能突然今天早到了十分鐘，就不如去逛逛，可能那一刻我覺得我要買東西我就一定要買東西囉。很貴的東西就未必常常買，可能買衣服啊二百蚊一件啊，也會去做，化妝品啊這樣，我是想買就一定要買到東西那種。

訪問員﹕ 你主要是想買那一樣你想要買的東西，還是你覺得你有一個形式「是時候消費了」，所以就消費呢？即是你是喜歡消費，還是有東西你特別偏好要多買一點？

F: 沒有。沒什麼特別，想買就買囉，沒有特別說我要買些什麼。因為有時候會想，啊，今天我想買件衣服，我也會去買，或者今天有心情去買衣服。但通常有時候是，最大的心態是，不如逛逛看看有甚麼適合的。就是先逛逛囉，不會說今天有甚麼特別想買甚麼就去買。而是今天想買東西，而去找東西買囉。

訪問員﹕ 好。你剛才說你的收入主要都用在你自己身上，敏感一點，你有沒有試過刷信用卡刷到欠債這樣呢？

F: 有，就在我兩、三年前，剛剛出來工作，跟媽媽在 AIG 有戶口，因為我 18 歲替 AIG 買保險。你到十八歲他就會說轉回你的名字，就哄你開信用卡。我記得當時的 Limit 是一萬，還是兩萬左右。我半個月左右就刷了六千蚊，我十八歲的時候賺的錢才六、七千蚊。那張單自然被媽媽看到了，媽媽會拆你的信嘛，還要是銀行信用卡。好在她拆了我的信之後，替我還了，還藏起了那張卡。從此就 touchwood(托福)沒有再申請任何的卡，沒有說因為欠卡數…搞那麼多事情囉。………..自從 cut (終止) 了那張卡以後我就再沒有出過信用卡了，現在也是，一張都沒有，淨是用 EPS (易辦事)。我覺得這樣反而 OK 囉，變得有多少就花多少，不會說先刷卡吧。

Appendix C‐G

覺得都, 我會覺得都係好困難, 即係點都好喇, 買樓真係一件好困難嘅事, 咁講真你儲, 儲完之後你, 即係你儲幾多年先可以買到一間似樣少少嘅屋企呢, 真係好困難嘅一件事囉, 講真, 你譬如, 特別係我諗特別呢一代, 跟本上, 好多時都要靠你嘅父母幫你, 畀個首期, 你先至可能有能力, 可能有能力唔一定, 可能有能力繼續供落去, 真係變左, 學你話齋, 真係變左, 窮果啲係會愈來愈窮

116 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐H

訪問員﹕那麼這個…我們剛才去問的這事情，都是我們想了解一下一般來說，去面對一些大家意見不同的時候，你的適應或者你的方法是怎樣。我接下來，想問一下…即是你的一些…個人的一些…除了工作、家庭以外，有沒有一些其他的生活。比如說…你的一些娛樂、或者康體活動等等…或者…餘下的是怎樣去幫自己康樂…

H: 其實都…間中…都會約朋友去唱卡拉 OK。但其實…如果你說真的是康體活動，娛樂那些，其實都是跟我先生…我小朋友一起去做的。去游水、去沙灘玩、去旅行。做那些多數是都是一起去做。

Appendix C‐I

訪問員﹕ 你現在是 Bachelor，major 甚麼的？

I ﹕ major finance。

訪問員﹕那麼你如果再進修，有甚麼打算？

I﹕ 可能會選擇以 MBA 作為選擇，不是名字的問題，因為其實在大陸工作最大的分別是，需要一個很強的人脈關係，因為大陸很多事情的確不太清楚，或是不能明文規定得那麼明顯，所以人脈已經是一個資源。在香港的確很多人走 professional 這條路，這是香港的模式，但在內地不是論這些的，是看你手頭上有多少人脈的資源。所以 MBA 是一個踏腳石，會考慮。

訪問員﹕ 你需要上去哪裡？

I﹕ 上海，stay 在那裡大概半年，因為國內有 restriction，我們只可以留 180 日，如果不是就有另外一個對待。暫時的計畫是 stay 在香港半年，在上海半年。或者到之後發覺中國的 market 真的很大，需要長期發展，contract 可能都會改，長期在大陸發展。

訪問員﹕ 你對於自己工作地點的變化，有甚麼感受？

I﹕之前有點抗拒，回大陸可能離家太遠了，或衣食住行未必能適應，但我覺得上到去很快就沒了這些問題，生活得很好。最重要的是，因為在一個發展中的城市工作，會感到機會處處。

117 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐J

訪問員﹕現在…介不介意說，你跟你的伴侶一起了多久﹖

J ﹕都是 4 年多…對啊…4,5 年。

訪問員﹕他想現在就結婚﹖

J ﹕隨時…對啊對啊…不過我覺得還可以拉遠一點…

訪問員﹕你現在可能都覺得，跟男朋友都一段時間。他有一個家庭，他自己有一個家庭。如果他說不結婚了，你會不會跟他搬出去住﹖在現在這個情況。

J: 都會…都會

訪問員﹕都會的…沒有所謂﹖家人會怎樣看呢﹖

J ﹕起初是不贊成的…但我想現在也不會…因為都(交往了)這樣久。都不會說反對的…

訪問員﹕如果你真的覺得有點壓力的時候，你會怎樣的﹖你會選擇做些什麼﹖以你一個長洲長大的人﹖ 你會做些什麼﹖

J﹕我有壓力的時候，通常都是在公司。但收工以後，我就沒事了，就算了…就算了。沒事了，即不會特別去宣洩。

訪問員﹕你會不會跟家人說﹖或者跟男朋友說﹖

J﹕會…會…男朋友比較多，家人比較少。家人比較少。

訪問員﹕即是你會選擇先跟男友說，可能家人就會少一點…

J﹕少一點…但都會提及的…不是每件事都說。

訪問員﹕妳說妳放工了，那麼，妳放工會做什麼？

J :今晚我會吃食自助餐去，因為我本身也很少跟朋友聯絡，和那些朋友好久才見一次面，我就和他們不同，只是上班、下班，放假去逛逛街，就是這樣，沒有了。其餘時間都是在家玩玩電腦。

118 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐K

訪問員﹕因為我看見這裡很有趣，這裡寫你沒有工作，但有些入息，你可不可以說一下收入來源是甚麼？

K: 零用。

訪問員﹕這是一個月計的？還是自己儲的？

K: 一個月計都有。

訪問員﹕有沒有用錢賺錢那些？

K: 說真的，來動漫的都是用錢賺錢。

訪問員﹕你來動漫不是收藏？

K: 都是那句，策略性。

訪問員﹕心頭好也會買，但同時也賺外快？

K: 都是看一看，有時間消磨一下，都是一買一賣，轉手都可以賺到幾倍的錢。

訪問員﹕其實可以賺到多少？

K: 可以賺多少…有些可以一百元買回來，可能可以以二、三十倍的價錢賣出去，可以的。

訪問員﹕你打算如何有策略地買東西？

K: 你見我早一天來已經知道，都是看一下天氣報告，看見早幾天下大雨，我都沒有來。

K: 對，現在不用上學，在等時間過。

訪問員﹕現在有甚麼事情做？

K: 說真的，和朋友出外，打球，大概是這樣，沒有甚麼好做。有時在家上網，消磨時間。可能八月找暑期工，因為九月尾才開學。

Appendix C‐L

J: 我覺得即係如果, 我唔知喇, 我感覺 80 後呢個 term 好似人形容到好負面, 由其身邊比較年長人, 比較負面, 我覺得好, 咁樣套落去, 好一面睇, 可能淨係睇到我地好衝動一面, 我覺得我地背後好多想法其實係十分之好!

119 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐M

Moderator: 表達嘅時候, 頭先有提到, 就算到你有好想表達嘅議向嘅時候, 你覺唔覺得有一啲渠道呢, 你覺得果啲渠道有冇影響力呢? 表達左都係…

M: 渠道好少, 或者我地係唔知道有咁嘅渠道, 或者好正面嘅渠道, 唔係去遊行果啲, 出去講, 即係性質好, 同我地去 share 渠道, 喇你有咩意見, 係可以去邊度邊度邊度去表達, 唔只係城市論壇果啲只係係度, 睇城市論壇果啲都有啲中學生嘅, 節目睇嘅時候, 咁我唔知佢地聽左, 一方面覺得渠道少, 同埋我唔知佢聽左係唔係真係接收到, 即係好似頭先果位佢講, 真係佢講左唔遊行好似聽唔到咁, 咁我真係覺得佢地係唔係真係接收到我地嘅訴求呢, 有冇諗過我地呢啲接受左喇, 但行動就依舊, 定跟本係只不過做 show, 聽左就算呀, 咁樣囉, 即係冇理會我地呢一代嘅諗法, 我唔知佢點睇我地, 即係年青人嘅諗法

Appendix C‐N

N: 我的目標係一人一票去投成個立法會，不過係現時的框架下個遊戲規則已經寫明左，我地而家只係可以繼續去進行件事，其實最後件事只會推遲完成。都已經行左半步，但係最後我地要的係果個目標，無論我地果步行左幾多。

N: (當我地 lee 一 2017 係一個唔完整的民主，我地用左兩個 step 去到呢一步，點解我地唔去係 2017 再將呢個 step 行到第三步，2022 先完成全民普選？)

N: 我覺得你有一個提法既就係，件事應該向愈來愈民主化，因為我唔相信功能組別分數的議席一路會增加，大家只要有信心我地民選議員係會愈來愈多既，我相信要拎一樣野係會愈來愈容易，只要大家認為一人一票去選特首同埋立法會全部議員呢個方向係正確的，大家都認同的話，議員應該就繼續爭取呢樣野做最終目標。不過係時間的問題 jei)

Appendix C‐O

O: 佢話一人一票，就算 D 咩功能組別存在個個都知，但係如果佢而家話有一個結果，比全香港人有一個民主的政府，其實呢一個就唔此係一個選舉，呢個討論 detail 的程度應該係去到好似憲法，而家好多野都唔知，好似係投票的規則，好多野都唔知嫁，全部野都係重點。但係好似而家咁，其實佢好似係玩野咁嫁，樣樣野都攪唔清楚唔明白咁，你加到幾多個民主議席又點，唔通咁樣就代表民主左咩，我覺得係無咩用囉。

O: 咁但係我覺得要破先後立的事情，你一開始唔係好清楚咁話比我知你會比 D 咩野我我會覺得你建立左個新的制度，我要再改變之前如改左，先知如果後面會有Ｄ咁既 consequence 既。

120 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐P

訪問員你剛才講的意見，除了在網絡發表，有沒有循正式的渠道向政府反映過看法？因為你是這方面的專才，頗為專業，其實你可以提供一個很專業、技術性的背景。

P:因為一開始撥款通過之前，他都沒有把數據公開，根本做不到一個好的 project 給他，這是一方面。第二方面，我感覺政府都不會聽，現在的感覺是，政府需要學者的意見，得罪地說，他有一個 policy idea，他需要一群學者去支持他的 idea，而不是希望學者去提出其他意見，所以他是想利用學術。

訪問員:這個是你的印象，還是你有親身經歷？

P:這是我的印象，而且我聽其他人也這麼說。例如財政司上次來香港大學，算是諮詢 for the budget 2010，interflow with scholars and students in HKU，但其實他也不太 take 他們的意見，有學生、我的同學去反駁他，他都不接受意見，巧言令色地辯駁了就算。有些教授用經濟理論去反駁他的觀點，他也說這是政治原因或其他原因，所以他都不願意去面對事實。或者用其他例子，例如政府想做一件事…總之給人的感覺是，很多事情政府不會 take 市民的意見，也不會 take 學者的意見。

訪問員:所以你覺得在網上發表更加…

P:沒錯。因為在網上發表，可以集合一批志同道合的人。我覺得這一、兩年，利用這種民間傳媒的渠道，更加使社會的聲音在社會上被反映出來。或者甚至組織到某些行動，只有這些行動才能使政府考慮改變。政府好像已經是一個對象，要逼他改變，不能只是請求，要有一定的籌碼和他談判才能讓他改變。越來越看得到，網絡其實有這樣的力量，形成一種和政府談判的籌碼。

121 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐Q

訪問員:可不可以講一下你覺得你最近的精神健康怎麼樣？

Q: 我現在好多了，因為我正在吃藥…我正在吃一些很貴的藥，但是…。

訪問員:介不介意講一下你的精神健康的病歷、狀態？能不能講？

Q: 能講。之前我有憂鬱症，醫生說我思覺失調，給了點藥我吃，吃了三年半。還有甚麼說…

訪問員:如果我配合一下時間，你現在二十五歲，即是你病發的時候是…

Q: 因為我之前…我病發其實是二十一歲，現在是二十五歲，但不是四年，而是三年。因為四年前我看醫生，中途停了，三年前左右開始再吃藥。

訪問員:或者我們多談一下這個範圍。當初病的時候，你是看私家醫生還是政府醫生？

Q: 私家醫生，因為政府醫生要排很多年。我同時也報了政府醫生，但就先看私家醫生，每個月差不多三千幾蚊醫藥費。

訪問員:現在每個月還是付那麼多？

Q: 之後我就看另外一個醫生，每個月都是三千幾蚊。現在就每個月一千多，因為是政府醫生，但吃好的藥就加錢。

訪問員:另外給的？

Q: 對。

訪問員:覆診多少次？

Q: 現在四個月一次。

訪問員: 四個月一次都要一千多蚊一個月？

Q: 是。

訪問員:即是覆診一次每次要給四千蚊？

Q: 是。

訪問員: 藥真是很貴。二十一歲的時候，你怎麼知道自己…是你自己覺得不舒服，還是家人覺得你不舒服？

Q: 是我自己的情緒好像崩潰一樣。

訪問員:明白。你覺得自己都不太理會其他人的看法，但你覺不覺得存在歧視？你會不會告訴別人…當然不是陌生人…

Q: 盡量不會。

訪問員:你覺得有甚麼後果？如果其他人…認識你…

Q: 不找我補習。教會比較好，因為教會裡有愛。但社會一般…不認識的人可能就會歧視你。盡量都不要說，我想一般人都不會想說的。

122 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix C‐R

R︰…..另外一樣當然是溝通。其實說實話，政府經常說溝通、溝通，真正的溝通就是做 show 而已，這些我都會明白。

訪問員:我想問你有沒有試過跟政府，用政府的方法去……

R︰根本就沒有用的

訪問員:說一下你的經歷

R︰我自己覺得是沒有太大用處

訪問員:可否說一下你的經歷

R︰我是一個小市民，如何與政府溝通呢？一層一層一層再隔一層，政治上的東西，政府的東西，一層一層一層，何時才到小市民呢？除非你做 show 就不同了，我見到你做 show 的話，我就演繹給你看。

Appendix C‐S

訪問員:但有沒有一些，像你剛才提及很多對法制、社會民生，你有沒有想過可以直接向政府表達？

S: 以前我可能會這麼想，不過後期我覺得政府也不會太聽…

訪問員:為甚麼呢？為甚麼會這樣？

S: 因為我看新聞看見那些人去抗議，很多時候都不會有政府代表跟你討論，可能只是派代表收請願信，事實上那封請願信會不會去到他手上都成問題。或者萬中無一，政府官員真的來跟你討論，但很多時都只是重覆自己的立場，沒有深切的討論，讓人覺得都不像是來聽你講話的，會有這些情況。所以開始越來越不信，即是政府不會聽我們的意見。

訪問員:如果真的有一天，你遇到一個比較重大的問題，跟你切身有關的，你剛才提到對政府的渠道都不太信任，那麼你覺得你會怎麼做？

S: 如果真的非常切身的話，當然會試一下一群人站出來，可能去遊行示威。都會在網上討論、聲討，或者是用比較電子的方法去…甚至可能會嘗試電郵去問。我想甚麼方法都會試一下，或者會找區議員幫助。

123 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

Appendix D

This young generation is the first generation to have grown up with ubiquitous exposure to digital technologies and have adopted these tools as their primary mechanism for communi‐ cation, education, information gathering, and sharing. As citizens, the young generation is starting to transform how government formulates policies and deliver services in digital technologies. With Hong Kong’s high Internet use rates and increasing number of social media users, it is important for citizens connect through their preferred platform to more easily engage the government.

E‐engagement is a two‐way bridge between the government and public. It is a 24/7 model, without barriers of time and place. Also, the system welcomes the participation of all people, which leads to more diversity of ideas and a more accurate reflection of the real situation.

Foreign governments have started to consider using e‐engagement to communicate with the public. In the 21st century, there will be a trend towards e‐government.

124 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

UK (E‐PETITIONS) US (WHITE HOUSE OPEN FOR CHINA (中國政府網) QUESTIONS)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/podcast/a http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ http://www.gov.cn/zxft/index.htm Website udio/open‐for‐questions/rss.xml

View and sign any current petitions Lists of discussion topic and gov‐ and see the government response to ernment officers to be in atten‐ any completed petitions. If you have Invite responsible government officers dance are posted one to seven System signed a petition that has reached to hold instant online chats connecting days before the interview. more than 500 signatures by the time it different discussion topics. Government officers discuss and closes, you will be sent a response respond to public concerns. from the government by email. 1. Any petition that cannot be ac‐ cepted will be listed, along with the reasons why. A list of reject‐ ed petitions is available on this 1. Real time video (downloadable Features and website 1. Real‐time video version in mp3 format [sound] system of trans‐ 2. Top 5 undersigned petitions will 2. Text record and mp4 format [video]) parency be posted to quick‐link/view on 2. RSS subscription available first page 3. information can be shared on delicious, digg and facebook

Frequency N/A, 24/7 Twice a week N/A Agenda of online Petitioner Official Official chat set by Media type Text Live video (podcast friendly) Live video and text Each petition is allowed to be up for 12 Duration ~ 30 mins ~30 mins ‐ 2 hours months, depending on popularity Starting time N/A Washington Time 17:00‐20:00 Normally 15:00 Can be found on Facebook and Sources and col‐ On official website or 新華網 WhiteHouseonFacebook group lection of public On official website http://www.xinhuanet.com/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/live concerns

Government w/ quotations of Prime Department Secretary or responsible Prime Minister (Wen Jiabao) or Response from Minister’s responses governmental officials responsible governmental officials

To submit a petition, you must pro‐ vide the following information online:

To submit a petition, you must ‐ The title or subject of the petition; To submit a petition, you must pro‐ vide the following information online: provide the following information ‐ A clear and concise statement cover‐ online: ing the subject of the petition. It ‐ Email address ‐ Name should state what action the petitioner ‐ Zip code wishes the PM or the government to Security system ‐ Comments take. The petition will be returned to to prevent abuse ‐ Comments you to edit if it is unclear what action ‐ A question is used to test wheth‐ is being sought; ‐ A question is used to test whether er petitioner is a human visitor petitioner is a human visitor and to and to prevent automated spam ‐ The petition authorʹs contact address prevent automated spam submissions submissions (this will not be placed on the web‐ site);

‐A duration for the petition

125 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

TAI WAN SINGAPORE JAPAN

http://www.president.gov.tw/php‐ http://www.e‐ www.reach.gov.sg Website bin/oopmail/mailform/index.php4 gov.go.jp/index.html

‐ Public can raises opinions/concerns ‐ Public can send their opinions on the online forum. Popular topic Public raises opinions to “president to relevant departments and will will be discussed in the relevant de‐ mailbox” and opinions/concerns will receive replies via email System partment. be classified and distributed to related ‐ New advising council opinions ‐ During important issues (e.g., budget department are welcomed before passing plan) public can chat with department new acts head in chat room.

1. Discussion forum Features and sys‐ 2. Chat room for important tem of transpar‐ 1. Email account policy 1. Email account ency 3. Information can be shared on SMS, Digg, and Facebook

Occasionally for special events (e.g., Frequency N/A N/A budget plan) Agenda of online / Governor / chat set by

Media type Word Text and live video Word

Long term for online forum Duration Long term Long term ~ 90 mins for online chat

Starting time N/A Normally 19:30 N/A

Register on 民情聯繫組（REACH） website www.reach.gov.sg https://www.e‐ Sources and col‐ http://www.president.gov.tw/index_c. gov.go.jp/policy/servlet/Propose lection of public html Information can be found on Facebook http://www.e‐ concerns gov.go.jp/help/about_pb.html http://www.facebook.com/REACHSin gapore

Department Secretary or relevant gov‐ Department Secretary or relevant Government officials responsible Response from ernment officials government officials

126 A Study on Understanding our Young Generation: Final Report

To submit a petition, you must use the online form to provide:

‐ Name To submit a petition, you must 1. The return email system is used use the online form to provide: ‐ Email address for petition. 2. Users must provide their name, ‐ Email Address ‐ Comments email, title, target, comments, and answer to a test question (de‐ ‐ Comments Security system ‐ A question is used to test whether signed to prevent automated to prevent abuse submissions). petitioner is a human visitor and to ‐ A question is used to test 3. Login with email address prevent automated spam submissions whether petitioner is a human 4. Confirmation email sent by visitor and to prevent automated “president mailbox” Vulgar content and usernames are not spam submissions 5. Confirm the email within 30 days allowed. Discourse among partici‐ pants should be civil and respectful.

Participants who violate the Terms of Use will be warned, and if they con‐ tinue to do so, they will be barred from participating in the forums.

127