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For the third time since 1997, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups conducted a survey in an attempt at determining an Indicator of Youth Values. As a result, along with other research and analyses done throughout the year 2000, the Federation has now released its latest findings entitled, "Ten Significant Trends Among Youth."
The Government gets a higher rating, from youth, but their own sense of belonging to Hong Kong decreases
According
to the "Indicator of Youth Values" Survey 2000, respondents gave the
SAR Government a rating higher than what it had received in 1998, up from 30% to
37%. At the same time, even though 80% of youth felt as if they belonged to Hong
Kong, this figure was slightly lower than the 88% polled in 1998, while those
wishing to emigrate rose from 25% to 33%.
Strong belief in press freedom, but not much confidence in press credibility
83%
of respondents believed that Hong Kong has a free press. However, only 37 %
expressed satisfaction on its performance, as compared to 61% polled in 1998.
84% of youth also believed that the media over-exaggerated stories focusing on
sex and violence.
Agreement to abide by the law, except when it seemed unreasonable
94%
of respondents agreed to abide by the law. 45%, however, would do so only if the
law appeared reasonable, thereby weighing the logic of a law, over and above its
simple promulgation.
Little
confidence in employment prospects, but an increase in wishing to start own
businesses
In
spite of the recovery from the Asian Financial Crisis, youth still did not have
much confidence in employment prospects for themselves. Only 47% of respondents
believed that it was not difficult in finding a job, 67% of youth polled had the
confidence in their own skills to make a living, a proportion lower than those
surveyed in 1998 (75%). Yet 63% of respondents believed that starting their own
businesses would be better than being employed by someone else,
a figure higher than that of 1998 at 54%.
A lower rating for school education and little confidence in developing life-long learning techniques
While
89% believed that an education gleaned from school was useful, this was a lower
figure than that found in 1998 (94%). Those in the older age bracket (from 25 to
39 years old) supported this more than those aged between 15 and 24 years old.
Meanwhile, 57 % of respondents had their doubts as to whether they could sustain
a process of life-long learning techniques, in spite of their greater concern
with education outside the classroom.
Basic grasp of Information Technology applications, in spite of concerns of a "digital divide"
73%
of respondents were able to access the Internet and had some basic knowledge of
Information Technology (IT) applications. However a family¡¦s socio-economic
status had repercussions on how and when youth learnt about IT. As IT is seen as
crucial to future employment, a "digital divide" is likely to be a
potential problem among youth. As IT grows in popularity, particularly amongst
youth, the level of Internet crimes would also increase.
The
Survey found that the attitude of youth towards sex was more liberal than
previously. 91% of youth called on schools to provide better sex education,
including information about contraception. Young people were more open to
pre-marital sexual relations, with only 35% considering this type of behaviour
wrong, as compared with 45% polled in 1997. 58% of respondents found abortions
to be acceptable, while 22% believed that having more than one sex partner at a
time was also acceptable.
88%
of respondents claimed families to be more important and stated that they had
good relationships with their family members. 10-20% were not happy with their
familial relationships, while 12% indicated that the relationship with parents
was not so strong. Of those aged between 15 and 24, 17% claimed to be at
loggerheads with their parents, while amongst 25-39 year olds, only 9.3% could
not get on with their parents. Very often conflict arose as a result of
differing opinions on discipline and education.
The
use of psychotropic drugs, such as Ecstasy and Ketamine, increased among
adolescents. There was a rise in Ecstasy use for all abusers from 2.3% to 10.9%,
while those using Ketamine rose from 0.2% to 4.6%.
Abuse was also found to have increased across the boarder in Mainland
China, particularly Shenzhen[1].
Statistics from the Narcotics Division indicated that the number of youth
abusing drugs in the first half of 2000 was 2,047, over 80% of the total figure
of 2,479 from 1999.
Statistics
from the Fight Crime Committee indicated that the number of 7 to 15 year olds
arrested from January to July 2000, was 18% higher than the same time period the
year before. Amongst 16-20 year olds, the numbers were decreasing, but remained
twice that of adults arrested. Research by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth
Groups[2]
found that triad influence began with the initial development of New Towns,
which could lead to the breeding of youth gangs.
In integrating the above analysis, it can be determined that youth are not
confident in either their own employment prospects or their abilities towards
life-long learning. This is a cause for concern.
As Hong Kong becomes more of a knowledge economy based society, the
current concepts on speciality and educational credentials have become outdated.
The upcoming entry of China into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will
lead to competition in the human resource market of Hong Kong. A sound life-long
education would be especially advantageous to youth with a lower educational
standard and with little experience, to adapt to the ever-changing labour
market. The education, industrial
and commercial sectors should work together to provide more opportunities for
life-long learning in order to increase the confidence of youth.
As the media provides much information and analysis on social and public
affairs, it plays a key role in the development and participation of youth.
Media education, which provides youth with independent analyses and judgements
towards the media, would improve their understanding.
Mr. Paul Chan, the Deputy Executive Director of the Federation, said civil
education and the promotion of voluntary services would help to increase the
social participation and feeling of belonging among youth.
He also claimed that conflicts between family members could erode family
relationships and suggested that social workers extend the concept of
"quality education" to "quality family
education" in order to improve the relationship between parents and
children.
The Federation was also concerned about the involvement of adolescents in the
increase of Internet crimes. Mr.
Chan said that while many adolescents had demonstrated a good ability at
information technology, he was worried that the fictitious world of the Internet
would lower behavioural principles and increase the possibility of youth
committing Internet crimes. He
suggested that society should emphasise moral standards in IT education, so as
to reduce the potential for Internet crimes.
With regard to youth gangs, Mr. Chan said that the development of New Towns,
which is set to continue, contained a high proportion of young people. He
suggested that the Government take preventative steps in the initial stages of
New Town development by providing necessary community facilities to youth.
Police, the educational sector, social services, parents and district
organisations should also communicate and collaborate frequently in order to
prevent youth from joining gangs and encouraging the spread of Triad Societies.
The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups has published Youth
Trends in Hong Kong 2000. It is hoped that the book will raise the awareness
of society to youth problems and youth development trends. The Survey on the
"Indicator of Youth Values" was conducted from 24 to 31 March 2000.
875 young people, aged between 15 and 39, were successfully interviewed by
telephone through a random sampling. The
response rate was 42.9 per cent and the standard error was below ¡Ó1.7
per cent.
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[1] Hong Kong Council of Social Services. (2000). The Serious Situation of Adolescents Abusing Drugs on the Mainland. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Council of Social Services.
[2] The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. (1999). Youth Study Series No. 23 ¡V A Study on Youth Gangs in New Town Development. Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.