TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 164

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PART VI CONCLUSIONS

543. Lack of care. Amongst factors to which some social workers drew atten- tion, less fundamental and less closely identified with the basic structure of our society, were youthful feelings of being ignored, neglected and misunderstood as well as inadequate provision of youth services. Young people are said to feel at times that nobody cares for them, neither parents, teachers, employers, society at large nor the administration. This attitude would make them susceptible to appeals from anyone showing an interest in their feelings and their welfare and may be a factor in explaining support for the demonstrations and their acceptance of the temporary and irresponsible type of leadership thrown up in the streets of Kowloon during the disturbances. It is not possible for us to determine the validity of these suggestions or the extent to which the traditional cohesion and discipline in Chinese family life has been eroded as a result of the urbanization and industrialization of Hong Kong and the breaking up of families who have taken refuge here, but the findings of the Urban Family Survey and the light it will throw on the attitude and aspirations of the younger generation will be of great importance in the plan- ning of future services.

Youth Services

544. One of the most common comments both before and after the April disturbances was for greater emphasis to be laid on youth services, e.g. the Annual Report of the Hong Kong Government for 1965 prophetically states:

'Hong Kong is not a single community in terms of accepted traditions and values. Its special social, economic and financial conditions place particularly heavy demands upon the welfare services and at the same time make it difficult for these demands to be fully met. Among the services provided by the Government and voluntary agencies, youth services become increasingly important as young people in Hong Kong progressively broaden their horizons and expect much more varied opportunities for recreation and use of leisure time. The "explosion of vitality" which has occurred among the younger generation elsewhere is beginning to affect life in Hong Kong, in forms both constructive and destructive'.

The White Paper on Social Welfare, Lady WILLIAMS in her recent report*, the Kaifong Annual Review for 1965-66 all stress the need for assistance and guidance to youth, for family and social education, for the provision of healthy and charac- ter-forming outlets: a plea very fully endorsed by the Chairman at the recent Annual Meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

545. Social workers in their evidence before us, expressed the view that exist- ing youth organizations only serve a marginal number of those who are really in need of such services.

546. In accepting this criticism' it must be remembered that in every big city pockets of discontent do occur and that nowhere do youth services reach all people

* Report On The Feasibility Of A Survey Into Social Welfare Provision And Allied Topics

In Hong Kong.