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Children’s Lived Experiences in Poverty in Hong Kong as a High-Income Asian Society

Author

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  • Esther Yin-Nei Cho

    (Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Victor C. W. Wong

    (Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Child poverty situated in different socioeconomic and environmental contexts has long been a central concern for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers. However, concerned research studies are predominantly adult-centric, confined to specific areas, or seldom found in Asian developed economies. Against the backdrop of this research gap, this study examines children’s experiences of poverty in relation to economic and material aspects, social relationships and participation, and psychological and emotional wellbeing, and their ways of coping with the effects of poverty. Using a purposive sampling method, a total of 40 children participants aged 8–14 living in or near poverty were recruited for an individual interview. The study showed that children experienced a range of deprivations in relation to falling short of the resources, opportunities, and activities that are commanded by average young persons. Limited living space also stands out as a more severe problem that is difficult to cope with. The various coping strategies include small spending savvy tactics, parental buffering, compensation, and mental coping. Proximity to schools and NGOs can help children in poverty to cope with problems caused by deprivations in different aspects. Implications for research studies and practice for working with children in or near poverty are discussed accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • Esther Yin-Nei Cho & Victor C. W. Wong, 2022. "Children’s Lived Experiences in Poverty in Hong Kong as a High-Income Asian Society," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6190-:d:819466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Halik, Murnizam & Webley, Paul, 2011. "Adolescents' understanding of poverty and the poor in rural Malaysia," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 231-239, March.
    2. Tamara van der Hoek, 2005. "Through Children's Eyes: An initial study of children's personal experiences and coping strategies growing up poor in an affluent Netherlands," Papers inwopa05/34, Innocenti Working Papers.
    3. Ylva Odenbring, 2019. "The Daily Life and Reality Behind Child Poverty in Sweden: Children’s and Adolescents’ Voices," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(3), pages 847-859, June.
    4. Esther Yin-Nei Cho, 2018. "Links between Poverty and Children’s Subjective Wellbeing: Examining the Mediating and Moderating Role of Relationships," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(2), pages 585-607, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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