Abstract
This study examines the intersecting marginalization of class and spatial inequality, housing informality, and migration by focusing on the everyday lives of migrant families living in subdivided flats in Hong Kong. It draws attention to, in particular, “single-not” families – families with one parent who is a mainland Chinese citizen – and “double-not” families – families where both parents are mainland Chinese citizens. This study investigates how these migrant families use border-crossing as a spatial and familial strategy to build a makeshift home in the hope of sustaining family lives in deplorable conditions. Data was collected through ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews conducted since January 2021 with tenants of subdivided units in a middle-tolow-income neighbourhood. The findings illustrate that border-crossing routines, both physical and virtual, are intimately embedded in the everyday survival of these migrant families. This strategy provides the migrants with access to spatial, social, and material resources; helps generate extra income; and enables them to maintain an affectional bond with their separated family members. However, due to stringent border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic, this border-crossing strategy has been undermined. The study also reveals the impact of COVID-19 on the mobility and well-being of these migrant families and suggests policy implications.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 23 Jun 2022 |
| Event | International Symposium on Social Policy and Social Services Challenges in the Greater Bay Area - Lingnan University / Zoom , Hong Kong Duration: 23 Jun 2022 → 23 Jun 2022 https://ln.edu.hk/sgs/international-symposium-on-social-policy-and-social-services-challenges-in-the-greater-bay-area |
Symposium
| Symposium | International Symposium on Social Policy and Social Services Challenges in the Greater Bay Area |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Hong Kong |
| Period | 23/06/22 → 23/06/22 |
| Other | An International Symposium on Social Policy and Social Services Challenges in the Greater Bay Area will be held on 23 June 2022 in a hybrid and bilingual mode. The symposium is co-organised by the Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies and Lingnan University-South China University of Technology Joint Research Centre for Greater Bay Area Social Policy and Governance, and is also supported by the School of Graduate Studies, Institute of Policy Studies, and Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University. This International Symposium will be joined by a group of respected scholars worldwide to share their latest research and perspectives concerning social policy and social services challenges in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA). The themes will be explored at the Symposium include 1) The GBA Development and Implications for Cities and Urban Governance and 2) Social Services Challenges in the GBA. |
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