Trajectories, Strategies, Practices of Second-Generation Hong Kong Transnational Families

This research will explore the migration trajectories of second-generation Hong Kong transnational families, in relation to their motives, strategies, practices, challenges and outcomes. After securing foreign passports and attaining overseas tertiary education, many second generation immigrants who emigrated to western shores before the 1997 hand-over have resettled to Hong Kong and are forming their own families. However, having transitioned to parenthood they are planning to leave Hong Kong yet again, with their children, for better education and quality of family life. While migrants’ circulatory movements and their family ties have been increasingly addressed through a transnational perspective, there has been limited focus on the migratory trajectories of second generation transnational families, as a unit. The significance of our study thus lies in revealing the scarcely known trajectories of second generation Hong Kong transnational families in process - as they happen. We will explore notions of home and belongingness and also the range of factors within the spheres of employment, family life and children’s education that are affecting their migratory trajectories. Furthermore, we will examine local and transnational strategies that are ultilised to pursue family projects and how gender relations are played out in the migration process. Our ethnographic fieldwork will involve 32 detailed family case studies of second-generation Hong Kong transnational migrants that are residing Hong Kong but have intentions to leave and also families that have departed to Australia and Canada.

Funding Source: UGC - Other Specific Funds/Earmarked Grants^