HomeFinanceOpinion | Shirking responsibility on bullying leaves Hong Kong children to suffer – Technologist
Opinion | Shirking responsibility on bullying leaves Hong Kong children to suffer – Technologist
October 14, 2024
The results of the latest study on the well-being of Hong Kong primary and secondary pupils are so distressing that some parents might be questioning their choice to have children in the first place.
An index of whether school-aged children feel life is worth living fell to its lowest level in seven years. The score has dropped for three consecutive years, reaching 6.74 out of 10 this year. We say children are our future, but are we listening when they tell us they feel the future looks increasingly bleak?
The study pointed to several issues, one of which was that the older the student, the less they felt life was worth living. Part of this stems from academic pressures, but it also has to do with what they’re learning about the world they live in. Younger children tend to be insulated against the harsher realities of the world around them as they simply don’t know or understand it yet.
It is no wonder many couples in Hong Kong and elsewhere are deciding not to have children and risk bringing them into this troubled world. The rude awakening to a life that feels “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”, to borrow a phrase from Thomas Hobbes, is more than just growing pains.
This problem will not go away if we have fewer children. In fact, we are already having fewer children and the problem is getting worse. At the very least, we are bystanders to this crisis and, as such, we must be careful not to fall prey to bystander apathy. It is imperative to try to better understand young people’s lives.
The survey also found that bullying has got worse – an index measuring the absence of bullying fell by almost 3 per cent. About one in five respondents reported they had been bullied in the past year alone, and the prevalence was as high as 25 per cent among Primary Four and Five pupils. If schools are microcosms of society, then these reports are worthy of action by everyone.
02:04
‘Ignore things we cannot control,’: Mother uses spinach as metaphor to teach bullied son
‘Ignore things we cannot control,’: Mother uses spinach as metaphor to teach bullied son
Azeem Rajpoot, the author behind Technolo Gist, is a passionate tech enthusiast with a keen interest in exploring and sharing insights about the rapidly evolving world of technology.
With a background in Technologist, Azeem brings a unique perspective to the blog, offering in-depth analyses, reviews, and thought-provoking articles. Committed to making technology accessible to all, Azeem strives to deliver content that not only keeps readers informed about the latest trends but also sparks curiosity and discussions.
Follow Azeem on this exciting tech journey to stay updated and inspired.
