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