The ‘Hong Kong Kids’ Phenomenon
The ‘Hong Kong Kids’ Phenomenon
In recent years it is common to see Hong Kong children accompanied by their domestic helpers everywhere. Some of them just shout at their helpers asking for help in tying their shoelaces and some just open their mouths to wait for spoonfuls of food like little birds in a nest. They have reached the age with the abilities to take care of themselves but they do not do so. As this problem becomes increasingly general, it is important to explore its different causes so as to relieve or tackle it. An important aspect of the ‘Hong Kong Kids’ phenomenon is the reason that it drives people’s worries. As stated in Ming Pao Daily News (2010), ‘“Hong Kong Kid”…refers to children and students that are unable to look after themselves, have low emotional intelligence and are vulnerable to adversity.’ They are like plants that should be grown in a forest but are put inside a greenhouse by their parents so people worry that the next generation may not be able to handle their own daily needs. As reported in Hong Kong Economic Times (2010), the new group of young adults acting like parasites to their parents may be the implications of how ‘Hong Kong Kids’ will grow up to be. Because they were financially supported by their parents, they were not willing to find a job to support their livings. Some who came back to Hong Kong after studying abroad found jobs due to their parents’ relations but they quitted easily. Some who did not have good qualifications could not tolerate to be blamed by their bosses too. Once an adolescent was blamed by his boss and his mother called the boss to blame him back and help her child quit the job. Even worse, some parents bought properties for the adolescents so that they can support themselves by receiving rents in the future. In a narrow sense, parents should bear the responsibilities of teaching their children about life skills. While in a broad sense, it is undeniable that the society and the culture have
In recent years it is common to see Hong Kong children accompanied by their domestic helpers everywhere. Some of them just shout at their helpers asking for help in tying their shoelaces and some just open their mouths to wait for spoonfuls of food like little birds in a nest. They have reached the age with the abilities to take care of themselves but they do not do so. As this problem becomes increasingly general, it is important to explore its different causes so as to relieve or tackle it. An important aspect of the ‘Hong Kong Kids’ phenomenon is the reason that it drives people’s worries. As stated in Ming Pao Daily News (2010), ‘“Hong Kong Kid”…refers to children and students that are unable to look after themselves, have low emotional intelligence and are vulnerable to adversity.’ They are like plants that should be grown in a forest but are put inside a greenhouse by their parents so people worry that the next generation may not be able to handle their own daily needs. As reported in Hong Kong Economic Times (2010), the new group of young adults acting like parasites to their parents may be the implications of how ‘Hong Kong Kids’ will grow up to be. Because they were financially supported by their parents, they were not willing to find a job to support their livings. Some who came back to Hong Kong after studying abroad found jobs due to their parents’ relations but they quitted easily. Some who did not have good qualifications could not tolerate to be blamed by their bosses too. Once an adolescent was blamed by his boss and his mother called the boss to blame him back and help her child quit the job. Even worse, some parents bought properties for the adolescents so that they can support themselves by receiving rents in the future. In a narrow sense, parents should bear the responsibilities of teaching their children about life skills. While in a broad sense, it is undeniable that the society and the culture have
References: "Hong Kong kids". (2010, December 28). Ming Pao Daily News 大學生無憂米 寧做收銀賺2千. (2010, July 5). Hong Kong Economic Times Ho, C. P. (2011, January 11). Kong Kids Phenomenon. China Daily Hong Kong - Educational System—overview, Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/618/Hong-Kong-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html Villareale, C. (2009). Learning from the children: Reflecting on teaching. : Redleaf Press. Williams, K. E., Ciarrochi, J. & Heaven, P. C. (2012). Inflexible Parents, Inflexible Kids: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study of Parenting Style and the Development of Psychological Flexibility in Adolescents. Retrieved December 14, 2012 from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Web site: http://http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/894/art%253A10.1007%252Fs10964-012-9744-0.pdf?auth66=1355568537_b0cf11427e3f10a674742bc0d0060f4e&ext=.pdf Rosenthal, M., Polusny, M. A., & Follette, V. M. (2006). Avoidance mediates the relationship between perceived criticism in the family of origin and psychological distress in adulthood. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 6, 87–102