#CUHKSWK2023
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Plenary Sessions
Session 1 : Social Policy
Session 1 : Social Policy
Family care responsibilities and work under different labour regimes of chinese societies
Abstract:
In the global care crisis for young children and the ageing, the gendered impact of family care responsibilities on employment and career development of family caregivers has aroused much academic and policy attention, but there is still a lack of systematic and holistic investigation into the workplace discrimination against caregivers in different social contexts and the current discussion and advocacy are often constrained in the western framework of meritocracy.
Through mixed-methods data and the lens of comparative research, this study investigates how employers evaluate and treat male and female employees with various family care responsibilities in three different labour regimes of Chinese societies – the neo-liberal Hong Kong market under a productivist welfare system, the market-driven private sector of Mainland China struggling with post-COVID economic decline, and the state-supervised public sector of Mainland China with socialist legacies.
Factors associating with young people's psychological empowerment in community settings: Implications for youth policy and youth social work
Abstract:
Although current literature demonstrates how young people can benefit from youth empowerment programs, empirical evidence on the individual, interpersonal, and community factors affecting youth’s psychological empowerment remains limited. Based on a large-scale survey with a sample of 8,695 young people living in Hong Kong, the results showed significant variations in psychological empowerment among older and younger youth with different engagement levels, participation levels, and socio-economic status. Furthermore, youth creative self-efficacy, youth-adult partnerships, and youth’s perceived empowerment in the community were found to be positively associated with their psychological empowerment. Among these three factors, youth-adult partnerships were found to have the greatest influence on youth’s psychological empowerment. Overall, the present findings support the development of youth policy that underlines service innovations and youth empowerment in communities. Moreover, the importance of enhancing youth-adult partnerships in community settings to promote psychological empowerment should be highlighted. Some practical suggestions for strengthening youth’s psychological empowerment will also be discussed.
How grandparents matter in child protection - Improving support for child caregivers?
Abstract:
Grandparents are often a key source of childcare provision. They can fill the parenting gap in dual-earner families and migrant families, playing an increasingly important role as a result of demographic and family structure changes in China. Grandparenting, in the intergenerational coparenting relationship, is therefore an essential element of child development. However, grandparents’ ability to effectively nurture and protect children in their care is less discussed.
Drawing on research conducted in first-tier cities in China, this presentation will discuss the characteristics of intergenerational coparenting within family systems, especially the variation in coparenting practices in terms of supportive and harsh parenting methods. Grandparents are caring, sensitive, thoughtful, and selfless; but they may also use psychological aggression and corporal punishment in childcare. Factors that interfere with grandparents’ ability to effectively nurture and protect in their care will be discussed.
Social welfare policy and practice need to broaden their view of the role that grandparents play within families. We need to provide more respite services and community childcare services to reduce childcare burden for both parents and grandparents. Furthermore, programs that support intergenerational coparenting and grandparenting in providing nurturing care and protection to children should be developed, implemented, and evaluated.
Who cares for older adults? A cross-national study of caregiving sources for older adults with functional limitations and associated determinants
Abstract:
In this presentation, Prof. Kong will share findings from a study examining the typologies of caregiving sources for older adults in China and the United States. Data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study and the 2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. The participants included respondents aged 65 years or older with at least one limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental ADL (IADL) (NChina=2,482, NUS=3,152). Respondents reported whether they received assistance with ADLs and IADLs from various sources, including spouse, child/grandchild, relatives, others, and formal helpers. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used to identify caregiving typologies and their determinants. Four caregiving classes were identified in China: class 1 (59.91%) minimal care with IADL assistance from child/grandchild; class 2 (8.66%) child/grandchild-based care; class 3 (27.96%) spouse-based care; and class 4 (3.46%) spouse/child/grandchild-based care. Five caregiving classes were identified in the US: class 1 (51.97%) minimal care overall with limited spousal support; class 2 (20.88%) child/grandchild-based care; class 3 (8.44%) spouse-based care; class 4 (13.20%) formal care plus child/grandchild support; and class 5 (6.31%) various sources of care. In both countries, ADLs and IADLs were strong determinants of care source typologies. The findings of this study highlight both similarities and differences in care provision between the U.S. and China. In both countries, especially in China, few older adults used formal care. The sources of care for older Americans were more diversified and included formal assistance. In contrast, older Chinese rely heavily on their spouses and children/grandchildren for care. Expanding formal home- and community-based services is an urgent need for both countries, particularly in China. Clinical professionals may also provide support and training services to family caregivers and link community-based elder care to accommodate older adults’ care needs.