1 from “transition” to “transformation”: re-interpreting lives of young migrant workers in...
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From “Transition” to “Transformation”:
Re-interpreting Lives of Young Migrant Workers in
Shenzhen, ChinaLiang Jianqiang & Tsui Ming-sum The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
9 July 2012 @ Stockholm, Sweden
Mr. Liang JianqiangPhD Candidate, M. S. W. , Registered social worker, Hong Kong
Prof. Tsui Ming-sumProfessor of social work,Program leader, Doctor of social work programThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University
e-mail: [email protected] 2
1) Contexts: Shenzhen, China
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A rapid developing city; A migrant city; A social work lab in China
Social work in Shenzhen
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Most of the social workers are young, post-80s generation, & university graduates…
We try to explore some social work services for migrant workers—people of our same generation…
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Young (Post-80s &90s, aged 18 to 27)
Migration (move from rural to city)
Worker(free agent,
labour market)
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Increased YMWs work in factories (e.g. making for Apple’s products)
Decreased YMWs work in construction
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Increasing in service industry, but few get promoted…
2) Problems: Rural to Urban
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From poor family Can earn enough to spend & eat
But unsure about living & to form a family in urban
Adolescent to Adult “left-behind children” Lack of parental care & emotional support
A popular belief of young Chinese—The society is changing rapidly, so there’s nothing you can really grab and feel secure.
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Student to WorkerEvery 10 rural children, only 1 could go to university…
They care how much they earn than how much they learn, however, their salary and working safety are insecure…
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3) Findings:Transition v.s. Transformation “Transition”: follow a similar life-path & geographical trend
“Transformation”: a) Transformation of identityIdentity lost: not a peasant, not a worker, not a city resident, but a free agent
Consumption & identity: Work, so could enjoy urban products, services & entertainment
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3) Findings: (Cont’)
b) Transformation of family
Rural family Urban family
A physical place An emotional net
Daily interaction with family members
Remote interaction, urgency contact
Fun Suffer
Affordable Unaffordable
Fed by parents Supported by parents
Implication one: Integrating individual, family and society in social work practice with young people
Understand young people in social context a) They need respect, concern, & support; b) Follow their needs with flexibility.
Promote their family interaction a) Re-assess their difficulties by connecting their family history & relationship; b) Re-connect them with their family—to improve their ways of intergenerational communication.
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Implication two: Changing our social worker’s role—“service provider” v.s. “life-traveler”
Embrace a new mindset to work with young people—they are their own life-master, encourage their participation and mutual help.
Work with their “resilience” and “resistance”
Resilience—they are hardworking, honest, have personal loyalty, & feel sympathy for the poor; Resistance—they are aware of their labour & civil rights, they are “fresh troops” of social reform.
Use of social media, speak their languages [email protected] 17
