Improve this city to encourage births
The government encourages Hongkongers to have three children, but that's impossible. we are still recovering from the financial crisis, and Hong Kong is becoming an 'M-shaped society' - more rich, more poor and fewer in between. Many couples cannot afford their own flats even if they are doctors and lawyers. More young people are living with their parents so space is limited.
Also, many people from the mainland are moving to Hong Kong to be with their family. The child of a Hong Kong man and a mainland woman has the right to be educated here. Most of these women move here to take care of their children. The lack of space may lead to domestic violence.
In such an environment, couples tend not to have babies. This is a natural instinct - animals will not bring offspring into an uncomfortable world. We should revive the Home Ownership Scheme so as to have a comfortable living environment for ourselves and our next generation.
Nigel Chit Cho-hin, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School
From the Editor
Home ownership is so good for a society that many countries help first-time buyers with a subsidy. In developed places, like Australia, the government has worked out that a person needs to own around four properties so as not to be a burden on the state when they retire.
This does not bode well for Hong Kong's future. It seems that speculators from the mainland are betting on Hong Kong housing. They don't actually live in the flats they buy - they just buy them to make an easy profit.
This leaves local people out in the cold and the government needs to heed them.
Susan, Editor
