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1. Introduction: The Phenomena of "Youth-at-Risk" in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong University Press, HKU
- Chapter
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1 Introduction: ThePhenomenaof"Youth-at-Risk"inHongKong Francis Wing-lin Le e From a developmenta l perspective , ever y on e o f u s ha s differen t developmental task s to fulfill a t different stage s in the life process an d is prone to be at risk if the tasks are not fulfilled/satisfied. Bu t why ar e young peopl e o r adolescent s usuall y regarde d a s mor e a t risk ? Youn g people are typically perceived a s immature, wit h low self-esteem, lac k of copin g abilit y an d self-contro l (Dryfoos , 1990 ; Jesso r e t al. , 1991 ; McWhirter e t al. , 1998). When youth-at-ris k (YAR ) is mentioned, i t i s usually associate d with young people in the education syste m who ar e on th e fring e o f droppin g ou t o f school s (Capuzz i & Gross , 1996) . McWhirter et al. (1998) provided a comprehensive definition o f "at-risk" . They define d "at-risk " as : A setof presumed cause-and-effec t dynamic s that place the child or adolescent i n dange rof negative future event s .. . a situation tha t i s not necessarily current but that can be anticipated in the absenceof intervention (P.7). Under this definition, we can understand that, for example, young people who exhibi t aggressio n (cause ) ru n th e ris k o f exhibitin g anti-socia l behaviour (effect ) i f n o appropriat e interventio n i s provided . Youn g people wh o exhibi t anti-socia l behaviou r (cause ) ru n th e ris k o f committing delinquenc y (effect ) i f n o appropriat e interventio n i s provided. They further propos e a five-tier at-ris k continuu m fo r youn g people. It ranges from minima l risk to remote risk, high risk, imminen t risk to the ultimate at-risk category (McWhirter et al., 1998:7-9). Young people belonging to different at-ris k levels have different socio-economi c profiles. Lee (1994) mentioned some characteristics specific to differen t YAR groups. These include existin g in natural groupings, strong grou p 2FRANCIS WING-LINLEE cohesion, distinct subculture and exhibiting pro-delinquent/delinquen t behaviour. People often associate at-risk youth in Hong Kong with youth gangs/ street youth , youn g substanc e abusers , schoo l dropout s an d youn g delinquents. As an introduction t o this book, thi s chapte r will presen t some phenomen a o f thes e grouping s s o that reader s ca n acquir e som e basic understanding o f thei r situation s i n th e loca l context . YouthGang s Whenever youth gangs are mentioned i n Hong Kong, they are typicall y linked t o Triad societies (a kind of Chinese "heritage"(.Ther e ar e som e 40 triad organizations with ove r 40,000 members (Ho , 1985) . However, the numbe r o f yout h gang s i s no t a s accountabl e becaus e the y exis t everywhere wher e ther e ar e youn g people , includin g publi c housin g estates, schools , commercia l centres , sitting-ou t areas , parks , footbal l pitches an d basketbal l ground s (Luk , 2002) . Several studie s hav e bee n conducted i n Hong Kong (CSWCYISC, 1999 ; HKFYG, 1993 ; Lee et al. , 1996/97; Lo , 1984 , 199 2& . 1993). Som e commo n finding s sho w the y exist in groups with a core-fringe structure , and share Triad subculture s with varyin g degree s o f delinquency . Yout h gang s involve d i n les s serious delinquenc y (e.g . shop-theft , blackmai l fo r smal l sums , vandalism, etc.), are regarded as at-risk youth who need special attentio n and ar e o f hig h interventio n priority . Withou t prope r interventio n o r services, the y ru n a higher ris k o f being furthe r influence d b y Triads , and consequentl y heightenin g th e severit y o f thei r delinquen t acts . Ultimately they may end up as hard-core criminals. Luk (2002) pointed out tha t th e "righteousness " an d "brotherhoo...