TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 327

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

11 May 1988

1375

MR. YEUNG (in Cantonese): Sir, young people, in particular young intellectuals, are the backbone as well the vital force of society. Since they play an in- creasingly important role in our society today, their behaviour and contri- bution will have a very far-reaching and significant impact on the future of the whole society.

The Report on Youth Policy points out that apart from their constructive elements, young people possess destructive potentials which may threaten the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. The report also refers to the surveys on the needs and aspirations of young people as well as the community's expecta- tions of them. The findings of these surveys indicate that there is a need for more guidance to enhance the physical and mental health of our young people. As a matter of fact, it has already been pointed out by experts in student counselling that young people are greatly influenced by social and cultural trends. Under such influences, young people in school may lose interest in study, resulting in poor academic results or even breaking of school regulations, and disobeying their parents and teachers and eventually becoming problematic students. There are various causes for the formation of problematic students, such as the family background, parental supervision, personal perspectives and value judgements, as well as school performance and influence by peer groups. Today, many young people often have very wrong concepts. They usually mistake indulgence for freedom, discipline for repression, violence for heroic deeds and kindness for out-dated virtue. There is not the slightest thought of 'goodness' on their mind. We should never forget that young people are full of vigor. They have great desire for independence, but are generally weak-minded. They have love for adventures, but are easily susceptible to other people's suggestions. We have to take into account that all these psychological factors may turn our young people into potential criminals.

From a psychological point of view, the greatest crisis in youth is the search for self-identity. While they strive for freedom and independence and try to pretend that they are grown-ups, they are at a loss as to what they should do and long for the understanding and care of the adults. That is why they are sometimes rather rebellious and self-centred because they want to assert themselves so as to attract attention. Their desire to be themselves is very strong. Apart from self-centreness, they are also subject to the influence of their peers. In many public housing estates, it is very common for the young people to gang up, that is, so as to say, the so-called 'mountain-topism'. Under the influence of peer groups, many of them could easily associate themselves with triads and end up in an inextricable dilemma. People generally feel that problems faced by these youths are a matter of deviation from social norms and some people consider them as serious social issues.

As Hong Kong is facing tremendous changes and great challenges, we believe the future development of our society depends on the good-will, unity and involvement of its people, particularly the young people. As our young people have an important role in society and it is our responsibility to keep the society