Enhancing Students’ Interpersonal Capabilities through Service Learning: A Hong Kong Case - Jacqueline CHAN Huixuan Xu Si Si LIU
Jacqueline CHAN
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong
Huixuan Xu
Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong
Si Si LIU
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong
【Abstract】This study aims to explore whether university co-curricular courses with embedded service-learning have an effect on students’ interpersonal capability development, and how course quality relates to student outcomes. It used a mixed-methods approach comprising surveys and interviews. The survey data show that students’ self-perceived relationship management skills improved in all co-curricular courses. Students’ perception of their own awareness of others’ experiences and feelings, however, was found to have worsened. Course quality was found to be a predictor of both aspects of interpersonal development, suggesting that closer alignment of courses with the recommended quality standards will make them more effective in promoting students’ interpersonal capabilities.
The qualitative data echo the quantitative findings and reveal that course characteristics, such as meaningful experience, diversity, student voice, and group work, are significant for developing
students’ interpersonal capabilities.
Keywords: Service-learning; Interpersonal capabilities; Co-curricular; Higher education
Adolescents’ Love, Sex and Holistic Development - Anna NG
Anna NG
Director of Student Affairs cum Assistant Professor
Caritas Institute of Higher Education
Caritas Bianchi College of Career
【Abstract】Based on theories of love and sex, and the author’s teaching, research and experience of clinical case counselling, this paper analysed the effect of adolescents’ perspectives on sex and love on their holistic development. Holistic development encompasses five aspects: physical, emotional, spiritual, social and career development. Adolescents’ outlook on love, sexual knowledge, and sexual attitudes exerts significant effects on their holistic development. To implement effective sex education, it is necessary to train teachers on the subject. Only with specialized teachers teaching sex education as a specialized subject, will we be able to foster healthy youth development.
Keywords: Adolescent; Holistic development; Love; Sex; Sex education
Hope or False hope? The Transformation and Limitation of Sports-based Intervention for Youth Career Development in Hong Kong - Ka Ki CHAN Pui Lim CHEUNG
Ka Ki CHAN
Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University
Pui Lim CHEUNG
Social Worker, Hong Kong Children and Youth Services
【Abstract】Sports-based intervention for young people has been developing in Hong Kong over five decades. Beginning in the 1970s, sports have been used as a means of engaging young people through leisure activities with children and youth services. These sports activities have been aimed at establishing healthy lifestyles and boosting young people’s self-esteem. During the early 2000s, however, in a period of economic downturn, this approach shifted to become more career-oriented.
Sports-based intervention is no longer implemented in a leisure context, and has instead become a method of career counselling for young people, as well as recognized as a possible pathway for
young people to develop careers in sport. This article discusses the long history of sports in youth work, and analyses the effects of current policy in promoting this sort of sports-based intervention.
Keywords: Sports-based Intervention; Youth Career Development; Youth Services, Sports Industry
The Life and Career Planning of Young “Ritualists” in Hong Kong - Nga Sze LAW Hang LI
Nga Sze LAW
Junior Research Associate, Social Research Centre, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Postgraduate Student, MA in Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hang LI
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Research Associate, Social Research Centre, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
【Abstract】Based on Merton’s strain theory and borrowing his concept of “ritualism,” this paper explores the life and career planning of the “post-90s” youth in Hong Kong. These young people “ritualistically” conform to “mainstream” social values but are actually looking for an “alternative” career path.
Though they conform to mainstream values by following their parents’ wishes and getting a bachelor’s degree entirely unrelated to their dream career, they subsequently pursue their dream
with support from their parents. The qualitative data shows that the “ritualists” of the post-90s mostly come from families of middle-class backgrounds. This finding highlights the conceptual importance of “class” for future research on adulthood transition and adolescent career development.
Keywords: Post-90s; Social Mobility; Ritualism
Practice and Effectiveness of a Job Preparation Program for Vulnerable Adolescent in Taiwan - Chung Yi HU Pei Xun GAO Wen Chi HO
Chung Yi HU
Professor, Department of Social Work, National Taipei University
Pei Xun GAO
Social Worker, Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation
Wen Chi HO
District Director, Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation
【Abstract】This study set out to explore the goals, strategies and intervention effectiveness of a job preparation program for vulnerable adolescents in Taiwan. This study used focus groups to collect data from eight social workers. The results revealed six types of effectiveness, including job skills, communication, problem solving, job ethic, financial management, and career exploration. Lastly, this study suggests that youth workers must pay attention to the social exclusion in the labor market, and use empowerment and resilience perspective to carry out the job preparation program.
Keywords: Unemployment; Empowerment; Resilience; Job Preparation; Vulnerable Adolescent
Collective Narrative Practice: The Collaborative Journey and Concerted Efforts of Young People and their Significant Others against Internet Addiction - Amy HO Esther LAM Fiona SZE Angela TSUN Sharon LEUNG Lily WONG Frenda LAU Raymond CHUNG
Amy HO Esther LAM Lily WONG Frenda LAU
Youth Work Officer, Wellness Mind Centre, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
Fiona SZE
Narrative Practice Practitioner
Angela TSUN
Narrative Practice Practitioner, Supervisor and Researcher
Sharon LEUNG
Associate Director, Centre for Youth Research & Practice, Hong Kong Baptist University
Raymond CHUNG
Fieldwork Supervisor, Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University
【Abstract】This paper reviews a collective narrative practice project conducted by the Wellness Mind Centre of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and HKBU for junior secondary students whose lives have been affected by “internet addiction.” Despite the pathological label of “internet addiction,” the project was able to rebuild young people’s preferred identity and reconnect their knowledge, skills, values, commitment, hopes, and dreams about life through collaboration with their significant others.
Inviting teachers and parents as outsider witnesses, young people’s stories and achievements were shared, heard, understood, retold, and thickened in the telling and retelling process. Student participants, teachers, and parents were invited to share their experiences of the project in different focus group interviews. This paper discusses the project and the reflections it brings on the lives of young people, teachers, and parents.
Keywords: Collective Narrative Practice; Outsider-Witness Practice; Internet Addiction Among Youth