Opinion | Hong Kong’s young protesters can’t be pigeonholed, and neither can their problems – they are not so easily dismissed

If there’s one thing about Hong Kong’s crisis that individuals from both sides of the political aisle could agree on, it’s that there are deeply rooted issues with the city. One concerns Hong Kong’s young people, who have played a prominent role in this summer’s events.

The establishment characterises our young as disillusioned due to exorbitant housing prices, social immobility and economic inequalities. The pan-democrats frame them as champions of democracy and freedom. Localists and radical youngsters see themselves as resisting the encroachment on their core political liberties and security.

Meanwhile, the government seems content with seeing young people as having misunderstood a well-intentioned extradition bill and largely propelled by a desire for more financial handouts.

The establishment has understood one thing correctly – the city’s socioeconomic inequalities are dire. To pontificate on them would be to ignore the causes. Hong Kong’s education system is increasingly uncompetitive, a result of overworked teachers and a rigid curriculum.

Many graduates work in low-end, white-collar jobs with minimal promotion prospects. A disproportionate amount of income is concentrated in a few prestigious sectors – law, finance, consultancy – dominated by graduates from relatively privileged socioeconomic or education backgrounds.