Volume 10, Issue No. 2 (Serial No. 20) Youth Development in the First Decade of the HKSAR

Howard C. H. CHENG
Associate Head and Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

[Abstract] Youth services in Hong Kong have evolved to be basically welfare provision due to their particular historical background. The author suggests that, on the 10th anniversary of the Special Administrative Region Government, the time has come to reexamine the purpose and content of those services. It is proposed that while continuing to help disadvantaged and non-engaged youth, youth services should also venture into new areas, assisting young people to establish their identity and contribute to society through the implementation of the positive youth construct. It is also suggested that all youth work is removed from the welfare domain to enable closer cooperation with schools and families.
Keywords: youth services, youth policy, youth, welfare youth work

Enoch C. M. YOUNG
Director, School of Professional and Continuing Education, The University of Hong Kong

[Abstract] Continuing education in Hong Kong has developed rapidly over the last 10 years, and its philosophy and practices are aligned with international trends. This paper analyses future trends for eight aspects of continuing education based on experiences in Hong Kong: the mainstreaming of continuing education in a lifelong education system, globalization of continuing education collaboration, systematic management for continuing education, market-driven continuing education, the diversification of continuing education programmes, integrating different teaching modes, perfecting quality assurance mechanisms, and research in continuing education. Continuing education in Hong Kong needs to be developed further in order to establish a lifelong learning society.
Keywords: continuing education; lifelong learning; Hong Kong education; future trends

Matthew CHEUNG Kin-chung
Secretary for Labour and Welfare

[Abstract] The Government of the HKSAR attaches great importance to promoting employment and assisting the unemployed of different backgrounds to find jobs. With a concerted effort, the Hong Kong people have risen to unprecedented challenges over the past decade and emerged much stronger. Young people are the future of the Hong Kong community, yet they often face difficulties in securing employment owing to their lack of work and social experience. This article highlights the HKSAR Government’s two major programmes for enhancing their employability: the Youth Preemployment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme.
Keywords: youth employment; youth pre-employment training programme; youth work experience and training scheme; YWETS

CHEUNG Wing-hung
Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Moral and Civic Education), Education Bureau

[Abstract] With the return of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997, the strengthening of national identity among youth has been an important education agenda for the Education Bureau. In the curriculum reform beginning in 2001, national identity is identified as one of the core values to be cultivated in students along three dimensions: knowledge development (cognition), nurturing of feeling (affection), and practice (action). Through the years, the promotion of national education in schools has proved to be effective.
Keywords: national education; national identity; curriculum reform; learning experience

Leo SHAM
Simon SHEN
Roundtable Group

[Abstract] Since the July 1 Rally in 2003, youth organizations have been forming spontaneously and are gradually assuming a more important role, influencing the government’s decision-making process.
Keywords: unconventional social participation; social participation; youth empowerment; youth organizations; July 1 Rally

Albert LEE
Director, Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

[Abstract] Developing a healthy lifestyle from a young age is crucial to minimizing the risk of developing long-term health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. According to the Youth Risk Behavioural Surveillance System survey conducted by the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1999, 2000, and 2003, most young people consume insufficient fruits and vegetables, seldom exercise, and are troubled by emotional problems. It is necessary to adopt a multifaceted approach to promote better health in the younger generation by involving the individual and their peers, family, school, and community.
Keywords: adolescent health, health promoting schools, youth risk behaviours

Hahn CHU Hon-keung
Environmental Affairs Manager, Friends of the Earth (HK)

[Abstract] Consumption and environmental protection are closely linked. However these issues, central to humankind’s survival on this planet, are seldom addressed in Hong Kong, and the part played by young people’s consumption is always ignored. The key question about young people’s environmental consciousness is not its intensity, but whether it can be transformed into action. If not, it is nothing but empty words. This report looks at the issue of consumption, describing how Hong Kong’s young peoples’ ideas on sustainable consumption have developed in the last decade, and exploring how Hong Kong can move towards a greener future.
Keywords: consumption; over consumption; youth

PAN Yihe
Professor, The College of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University

[Abstract] Worshipping of celebrity idols is a prevailing phenomenon among the younger generation of Mainland China. Recently, the academia’s general evaluation of this phenomenon has changed remarkably, shifting from worry and anxiety to respect and understanding. Issues such as the positive and negative effects of idol worshipping on the development of young people’s self-awareness, the diversity of idol worshipping across different regions and genders, changes in the types of idols worshipped, enthusiasm involved in idol worshipping behaviours, and the relations between the characteristics of idol worshipping and the mass media as well as the education manner of parents, are all discussed in depth.
Keywords: teenager; celebrity idol worship; general evaluation

Agnes LAM Iok Fong
Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Journalism and Public Communication Program, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Macau

[Abstract] This study uses the survey results of the New Generation magazine to illustrate the phenomenon of adolescent idol worship in Macau. It is found that Macau youth perceive idol worship both positively and negatively. The latter perspective has led to the situation that young people often claim they do not have an idol. However, celebrity idols are the most important kind of idol among youngsters. Idol worship has a significant effect on peer interactions but it is not the key factor that determines whether young people are accepted by their peers. For this reason, idol worship is a rather personal behaviour for Macau adolescents and is a way for them to pursue self-actualization.
Keywords: Macau; adolescent, idol worship; self-actualization

YUE Xiao Dong
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong

[Abstract] This paper summarizes the author’s 10 years of empirical studies on adolescent idolatrous behaviours in Hong Kong. It argues the adolescent idolatrous behaviours in Hong Kong are characterized by commercialization of celebrity idols, homogeneity of idol types, irrationalization of idolatrous motives, and radicalization of idolatrous behaviours, which lead to what the author defines as the psyche love of idols. To resolve these problems, the author recommends encouraging young people to select different types of admired idols, to identify with different characteristics of these idols, to adopt these idols as role models, and to adopt role models as idols.
Keywords: idol worship; idolatrous behaviours; adolescent; psyche love; Hong Kong

XU Chuanxin
Lecturer, School of Humanities and Law, Chengdu University of Technology
XU Ruolan
Professor, Psychological Health Education Center, Chengdu University of Technology

[Abstract] This paper summarizes the author’s 10 years of empirical studies on adolescent idolatrous behaviours in Hong Kong. It argues the adolescent idolatrous behaviours in Hong Kong are characterized by commercialization of celebrity idols, homogeneity of idol types, irrationalization of idolatrous motives, and radicalization of idolatrous behaviours, which lead to what the author defines as the psyche love of idols. To resolve these problems, the author recommends encouraging young people to select different types of admired idols, to identify with different characteristics of these idols, to adopt these idols as role models, and to adopt role models as idols.
Keywords: idol worship; idolatrous behaviours; adolescent; psyche love; Hong Kong

Day WONG
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Hong Kong Baptist University

[Abstract] This paper aims to address the question of whether pornography is harmful to young people. In the early 1970s, sociologists in the West began to examine society’s concern over youth problems from the perspective of moral panic. It was found that the heightened level of concern over the behaviours of youngsters does not usually reflect the actual nature and scope of the problem. The mass media were shown to be an important player in intensifying and sustaining the anxiety. I will first introduce the theoretical premise of moral panic and discuss how moral panic has functioned in the discussion of pornography in Hong Kong. Based on the findings of a survey entitled “Pornography in the Eyes of the Youth,” I will provide a critical examination of the effects of pornography on young people. I will conclude by making suggestions for a moral-panic-free sex education.
Keywords: pornography; moral panic; sexual myths; sex education

D. O. TORIMIRO
O. D. KOLAWOLE
V. O. OKORIE
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

[Abstract] A gender analysis of ICT usage among the in-school farm youth in Nigeria’s Yoruba communities was conducted using a pretested interview schedule to elicit information from a random sample of 100 males and 100 females. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to describe the data while Pearson correlation and analysis of variance were used to make some deductions. The results showed that the male respondents enjoyed more of the benefits of ICTs while the female respondents experienced more of the constraints associated with ICT usage. There were also significant differences in the male and female respondents’ levels of awareness, perception and usage of ICTs. The paper suggests the need to implement gender-sensitive ICT policies and integrate ICTs into the secondary school curriculum.
Keywords: gender; digital divide; in-school farm youth; ICTs.

XU Aoao
Rector, Professor, Tutor of Doctorate Student, Macao University of Science and Technology
LI Jiazeng
Professor, Tutor of Doctorate Student, Macao University of Science and Technology

[Abstract] The phenomenon of long-term academic lagging behind has created many problems. The multiple intelligence theory, the emotional intelligence theory, and the theory of creativity development are the basis of solving this problem. According to research on preuniversity students of the Macao University of Science and Technology, most students think the main factors explaining academic lagging behind are having a lower intelligence, a lower emotional quotient, and a lower level of creativity. Thus, we should aim to improve the situation by focusing on raising intelligence and emotional quotients, and developing creativity.
Keywords: academic lagging behind; multiple intelligences; emotional quotient; creativity development

CHAN Yiu Man
Research Fellow, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Victor S. K. LEE
Director, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

[Abstract] The learning experiences of 442 subdegree students were assessed by using a Study Process Questionnaire and a Learning Experience Questionnaire. This study focused on the differences in gender, social economic status, and age, and their relationship with deep and surface learning. The results, using error bar charts and one-way analysis of variance, revealed statistical differences in gender and family income variables. The results show that boys tend to use both a deep learning approach and a surface learning approach. In addition, high-income families tend to use a deep learning approach to a greater extent than do low-income families. The research supports the notion that more learning resources should be allocated to low-income families in order to improve the quality of their learning under the principle of equal opportunities in education.
Keywords: subdegree students; learning experience

YEUNG Wai-Keung Jerf
Research Associate and PhD Candidate, Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
CHEUNG Chau-kiu Jacky
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong
CHAN Yuk-chung
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong

[Abstract] Over the past two decades, increasing evidence, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, has shown that religious involvement is associated with better physical and mental health and longer survival in various populations. Nevertheless, a substantial but still insufficient number of studies has evidenced religious involvement as a salient factor influencing the cognitions, emotions, attitudes and behaviours of young people in ways that are commonly viewed as constructive and beneficial. However, most of these studies were conducted in the West, especially in the United States. Local youth studies still have not engaged in this endeavour seriously. In view of this, the aim of this article is to provide a review of the relevant studies conducted in the West, addressing the relationship between youth religious involvement and health and behavioural outcomes, including mental and psychological health, positive behaviours, schooling and prosocial participation. It also presents theoretical implications of this relationship for local research.
Keywords: religious involvement; youth; health and behavioural outcomes; theoretical implications