Lingnan University’s Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) conducted a study about children’s personal development and happiness between November 2011 and January 2012, which covered more than 1,000 senior primary and junior secondary students. Prof Ho Lok-sang, Director of the CPPS, presented the key findings of the survey on 27 September.
A caring and loving relationship between parents, and parents’ respect for children’s views and privacy are what Hong Kong children value the most in defining their happiness. While financial well-being is clearly important, it is far less important than having a warm, loving family that promotes effective communication and avoids strongly worded rebukes and disciplinary actions, according to the survey results. Happiness of children tends to decline with age, and more adversely affected by pressures from extra-curricular activities rather than schoolwork.
This study was commissioned by the Early Childhood Development Research Foundation and sponsored by Henderson Land Group. It covered 1,025 senior primary school and junior secondary school students aged between 8 and 17 from 14 primary schools and 15 secondary schools. Where possible, the sampled data was paired up with data provided by one of the child’s parents for analysis.
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