1. 1 From “Transition” to “Transformation”: Re-interpreting Lives of Young Migrant Workers in Shenzhen, China Liang Jianqiang & Tsui Ming-sum The Hong Kong Polytechnic University 9 July 2012 @ Stockholm, Sweden

2. Mr. Liang Jianqiang PhD Candidate, M. S. W., Registered social worker, Hong Kong Prof. Tsui Ming-sum Professor of social work, Program leader, Doctor of social work program The Hong Kong Polytechnic University e-mail: leungctl@gmail.com 2

3. 1) Contexts: Shenzhen, China 3 A rapid developing city; A migrant city; A social work lab in China

4. Social work in Shenzhen 4 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…

5. 5 Young (Post- 80s &90s, aged 18 to 27) Migration (move from rural to city) Worker (free agent, labour market)

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. Increased YMWs work in factories (e.g. making for Apple’s products) Decreased YMWs work in construction

10. 10 Increasing in service industry, but few get promoted…

11. 2) Problems: Rural to Urban 11 From poor family Can earn enough to spend & eat But unsure about living & to form a family in urban

12. 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. 12

13. Student to Worker Every 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… 13

14. 3) Findings: Transition v.s. Transformation “Transition”: follow a similar life-path & geographical trend “Transformation”: a) Transformation of identity Identity 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 14 jianqiangliang@gmail.com

15. 3) Findings: (Cont’) 3) Findings: (Cont’) b) Transformation of family jianqiangliang@gmail.com 15 Rural familyUrban family A physical placeAn emotional net Daily interaction with family members Remote interaction, urgency contact FunSuffer AffordableUnaffordable Fed by parentsSupported by parents

16. 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 16

17. 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

18. Our contacts: Mr. Liang Jianqiang: jianqiangliang@gmail.com Prof. Tsui Ming-sum: ssmstui@inet.polyu.edu.hk 18