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: leungctl@gmail.com 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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jianqiangliang@gmail.com

3) Findings: (Cont’)

b) Transformation of family

jianqiangliang@gmail.com 15

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.

jianqiangliang@gmail.com

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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 jianqiangliang@gmail.com 17

Our contacts:Mr. Liang Jianqiang:jianqiangliang@gmail.comProf. Tsui Ming-sum:ssmstui@inet.polyu.edu.hk

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