The impact of culture on Chinese young people's perceptions of family responsibility in Hong Kong, China

Abstract

This is a quantitative research study with a cross-sectional design and a survey approach to address the views of a large sample (n=1132) of young people in relation to family responsibility in a society where East meets West. The survey results suggest that the sample hold relatively positive attitudes towards Chinese cultural values and family responsibility. The traditional value of importance of family, filial piety and harmony with others were still strongly supported by many young people. The findings further revealed that the more the Chinese cultural values the young people associated with, the more the positive attitudes in family obligation they would have. However, global influences which emphasize the right of freedom and to have personal choice may have been at work too. There are implications for a matrix of policies to support young people in their transitions to adulthood.