Hong Kong nine-year-olds are getting less happy: study
Study finds biggest drop among all surveyed age groups in Primary Four, with one expert blaming an excess of academic pressure from parents
There has a been a significant drop in the happiness of nine-year-olds in Hong Kong, a study has found, with one expert questioning whether parents are applying academic pressure at a younger age than before.
The Hong Kong Children Happiness Index for the 2017/18 academic year showed a drop of nearly 5 per cent year on year among pupils in Primary Four, the biggest drop of all age groups surveyed.
Professor Ho Lok-sang, director of the Polling and Public Opinion Centre at Chu Hai College of Higher Education, called the drop “unusual” as the previous study had shown younger children to be happier.
“Typically, as kids grow older, their happiness level tends to drop because of more pressure in senior classes and also the influence of puberty,” Ho, who conducted the study, said.
“But, this figure implies parents are already putting much pressure on children, starting from lower grades.
“Some parents might not have previously been as demanding. But talk about winning at the starting line has pushed those parents to also become more competitive.”