Post on 19-Dec-2015
SOSC 103DSocial Inequality in HK
Lecture 8: Middle Class Studies
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Class Studies in late 1980s Change of Class Structure
The general improvement of living standard
The Rise of Middle Classes in Hong Kong
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The Rise of Middle Class
Middle Class Studies Characters of the new middle class
Who are they? Do they have specific quality?
Political attitudes and orientation Migration studies
Hong Kong identities
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Middle Class
Occupation: Job Nature: Leisure and consumption: Culture: Social role:
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The New Middle Class in HK Demographic background:
Local baby boomers Local education Baptized by western culture
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Local born people by age, 1966
Age group Local born
0-14
15-29
30-44
45-59
>60
% of total population
91.6
48.8
20.4
14.5
12.2
53.8
From 1966 census (Lui, 2002, p. 426)
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A popular legend – Sam Hui
Local born
Influenced by Western culture
University graduate
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The New Middle Class in HK Social characteristics:
Higher education/ professional training
Hard-working
A Representation of “Hong Kong Dream”
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housewife
Immigrant in the 1950’sFactory working daughter
University graduate – New middle class
New immigrant - Ah Charn
Building up Hong Kong Identities
HK YAN
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The New Middle Class in HK
Social and Political Attitudes: Relations with other classes
Individualistic
Apolitical
Emigration
Kai Tak airport
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Mobility Studies in late 1980s
Further questions: Did the majority HK people become
members of the new middle-class? Who had moved up, and who had not? What made them to move up? Are there bundles of opportunities for
people to move up the social ladder?
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Readings:
Leung, Benjamin K. P. (1994) “Class and Class Formation in Hong Kong Studies,” in S.K. Lau, et al. (ed.) Inequalities and Development: Social Stratification in Chinese Societies
Optional Readings (for your interests):
呂大樂 , 黃偉邦 (1998) 階級分析與香港 , 第三至九章