Interview March 2020 | Youth Hong Kong
Fortress besieged attitudes to housing
• Prof Xian Shi explains how sociocultural factors shape housing choices, particularly gender, marriage and education, plus social norms including filial piety.
• 綫實教授認為社會文化因素會影響住屋的選 擇，特別是性別、婚姻、教育程度，以及其他 社會規範，例如中國人重視孝道等。
• She focuses on the intergenerational context within which contradictions in attitudes are emerging.
• 她的研究集中於跨世代相處，例如如何融合和 包容不同世代的態度和想法。
What are the strongest motives for young Hong Kong people to continue to live with parents? Among several factors, the lack of affordable housing is the most important according to our recent survey. Some 70% of the young respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they lived with parents because they could not afford to live anywhere else.
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Motivation may also relate to social norms concerning marital status and filial piety. There is general acceptance of co-residence with parents before getting married in Hong Kong. Comfort and intergenerational support are other major factors, together with recognition of the implications of living in an ageing society.
