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FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICE IN HONG KONG

The total number of Hong Kong population is increasing. In 2011, the population size was 7.07 million, while the number of domestic households was 2,370,000. The average household size in 1991 was 3.4 persons, which had dropped to 2.9 in 2011.

The crude marriage rates for both women and men exhibited a continuous decline during 1991 to 2000. In 1991, the number of marriages per 1,000 males was 13.6, and that of females was 14.1. The rates then generally increased during 2001 to 2011. The crude marriage rates for women and men increased significantly to 15.5 and 17.6 respectively in 2011. The total number of registered marriage was 58,369 in 2011, in which 18,265 were re-marriage cases representing a proportion of 31% (rose for 10% comparing with figure in 2011).

The total number of birth has also dropped by 16%, from 68,281 in1991 to 57,124 in 2005, with slight rebound from 2004 onwards. Among the total number of birth, 25.9% (12,915) were born to mainland residents in HK in 2004. In 2011, the total number of birth has increased to 95,387, 46% (43,982) was born to mainland women in HK.

In the past two decades, the number of cross-boundary marriage registered in Hong Kong increased from 782 in 1986 to 20,488 reflecting 35.1% in 2011. Most of the marriages involved male HK residents married female residents in the mainland, with increasing trend from 15,776, in 1986 to 20,167 in 2011. On the other hand, for those marriages involving female HK residents married male residents in the mainland also increased from 675 in 1986 to 5,865 in 2011. According the figures of Education Bureau, there were 12,865 cross-boundary students in the school year 2011/2012.

The total number of divorces increased rapidly during 1981 to 2011. In 2011, the total number of divorces further increased to a new high of 19,597. The number of single parent family rose for double in the past 2 decades, from 34,538 in 1991 to 81,705 in 2011. Most of the single parents were female. The gender ratio was 1:3.6, which mean for every male single parent, there will be 3.6 female single parents.

According to the Social Development Index released by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the sub-index of family solidarity in 2004 was -215, which has further dropped to -309 in 2010.

In recent year, the newly report child abuse cases increased by 41%, from 622 cases in 2004 to 877 cases in 2011. In 2011, there were 3,174 battered spouse cases, which mean 9 cases happened for everyday in average. Among all the domestic violence cases, physical abuse was the most prominent, representing 46% (410 cases) of all child abuse cases, and 87.8% (2,786) of all battered spouse cases. Besides, the proportion of child sexual abuse case was rising from 30% in 2004 to 35% in 2011.

In Hong Kong, the Gini coefficient has been increasing in the past twenty years. The figure in 1991, 2001 and 2011 were 0.476, 0.525 and 0.537 respectively. It reflects that poverty disparity in Hong Kong is getting more serious in the past two decades.

There is increase of low-income families / families in poverty in the past two decades. The population in poverty rose from 0.79 million in 1991 to 1.15 million in 2011. And the poverty rate rose from 14.5% in 1991 to 17.9% in 2010 which is the record high. After the enforcement for Minimum Wage ordinance, the poverty rate slightly dropped to 17.1% in 2011.

There has been an alarming rising trend in recent years regarding young drug abusers aged under 21. The number of young drug abusers had reached 3,430 in 2008, and the number dropped to 2,006 in 2011. The proportion of young drug abusers also increased from 16% in 2005 to 24% in 2008, and the proportion slightly dropped to 22% in 2011.

With structural family disintegration, decreasing family solidarity and resilience, series of family problems emerge. For instance, child neglect, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence and substance abuse, etc.  To strengthen family solidarity, it relies not only on efforts made by individuals and parents, but also the government on nurturing a sustainable and family friendly environment to facilitate a balanced family-work life style and secure income support for the working population in Hong Kong.

Under the effects of increasing number of nuclear families, urbanization and economic hardship, the adverse impact on the disadvantaged groups, such as new arrivals, low-income groups and ethnic minorities are greater.  Stronger neighborhood and community support not only promote residents’ sense of belongings to the community, mutual trust and support, but also strengthen their resilience. The enhanced neighborhood support network empowers individuals, families and the community in building a cohesive community.

Integrated service setting encourages all aged groups to use the service or to outreach the families in community without stigmatization. However, there are strong need of specialized service targeted for particular target groups in catering for special needs, e.g. sexual violence victims, survivors of domestic violence, batterers, ethnic minorities and new arrivals. Specialized and integrated services are to be on parallel development.

The service design is now more diversified. Other than developmental, education, mutual support, therapeutic groups and case counseling, the community outreaching working approach is the key working approach. The outreaching effort can get in directly contact with residents of the community and bring the services to those needy families in the community proactively. The community-based services can provide support in meeting the special needs of individuals and families of the community in enhancing self-help and mutual-help ability for building a cohesive community.

Early identification of needs and intervention prevents further deterioration of problems. Therefore, there is also a service trend on targeted preventive service for early identification of families in needs and to provide them with early supports.