logo
Spouses, children of top talent unhappy with life in Hong Kong: university study

Spouses, children of top talent unhappy with life in Hong Kong: university study

Most of the spouses and children of top talent, mainly from mainland China, are struggling to adapt to life in Hong Kong and are feeling unhappy, a university study has found, with researchers calling for better support services from schools and communities.
Hang Seng University last week published a cross-subject study that began last December and involved 1,000 people who arrived as dependents of those admitted under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, with many coming from across the border.
The scheme, which was introduced in 2006, allows successful applicants to relocate to Hong Kong without a prior employment offer.
But the recent study found that the dependents of such candidates, in particular
children , reported low satisfaction overall with their lives in Hong Kong.
According to the research, nearly 70 per cent of spouses and 85 per cent of children reported feeling dissatisfaction, with 30 per cent of youngsters saying they were 'very dissatisfied'.
The study also found that education and learning were the areas that dependents attached the most importance to, yet more than 70 per cent of them felt that studying in Hong Kong was not the right choice.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Experts in Hong Kong discuss why gentle parenting is trending and why it may be useful for local families
Experts in Hong Kong discuss why gentle parenting is trending and why it may be useful for local families

South China Morning Post

time9 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Experts in Hong Kong discuss why gentle parenting is trending and why it may be useful for local families

If you're a parent in 2025, you'll have had a hard time avoiding the term 'gentle parenting'. Whether it's showing up on your social media feed or being demonstrated at play dates, gentle parenthood seems to be the hot topic in parenting circles this year. But what exactly is it? What principles does it stem from? And most importantly, does it work? Advertisement All families are different, from their multiple personalities and varied family structures, to the different needs and schedules of parents and children. On top of this, many different parenting styles exist , with the four most studied approaches being defined as authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and neglectful. Heep Hong Society's educational psychologist Jacqueline To aligns the gentle parenting movement with the authoritative parenting style, an approach coined by psychologist Diana Baumrind in the 1960s that sets clear boundaries and expectations with children, while also being responsive and supportive of their feelings and needs. Jacqueline To, Heep Hong Society's educational psychologist. Photo: Handout 'I think it's kind of like a terminology shift,' she says. '[Gentle parenting] is a recent buzzword, I would say. So there aren't really any specific studies embodying all the principles, but it is very relevant or very related to some of the other kinds of parenting styles that we've always been talking about.' She uses the expression 'gentle but firm', to highlight how the values of empathy and boundary-setting can coexist without being opposed. Dr Natalie Loong, a clinical psychologist at Central Minds, defines the approach as one that 'centres empathy, respect and emotional connection within the parent-child relationship'. She says 'in line with global trends, gentle parenting principles are gaining interest in parts of Asia, particularly among younger, urban parents, with millennials often leading the shift'. Advertisement Some experts suggest that the rising appeal of softer parenting techniques reflects a broader desire among parents to raise their children differently from how they themselves were raised. 'In many Asian cultures, traditional parenting has emphasised obedience, discipline and respect for hierarchy,' Loong adds. 'In response, some younger parents may be embracing gentle parenting and similar approaches as a way to break from the practices they experienced growing up.'

China student, first in family to attend Peking University, receives grand ancestral ceremony
China student, first in family to attend Peking University, receives grand ancestral ceremony

South China Morning Post

timea day ago

  • South China Morning Post

China student, first in family to attend Peking University, receives grand ancestral ceremony

A Chinese student has captivated the nation after being admitted to the prestigious Peking University, where his ancestral clan held a grand celebration to honour him as the family's first such student in a century. Li Guoyao, from Wenzhou, Zhejiang province in southeastern China, was admitted to the university's Strengthening Basic Disciplines programme, where he will major in biology and basic psychology. He is reportedly the first person in his clan in a century to attend a top-tier university. Li Guoyao scored impressive marks in China's national college entrance examination. Photo: Weibo He scored 691 in China's national college entrance exam, or 'gaokao', and has become a beacon of hope and pride for his village, especially given his modest background. 'His father was laying bricks on construction sites to pay for his education, and his mother earned just 2,800 yuan (US$400) a month stocking shelves at a supermarket. This kid truly earned it through his own hard work!' one emotional neighbour said. Another villager told of Li's discipline. The grand ancestral ceremony included a convoy of flower-decorated luxury cars. Photo: Weibo He always used an old phone passed down from his father to complete practice questions, spent weekends in the village library hand-copying exam papers, and never attended a single private tutoring session throughout secondary school.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store