Care and Control Revisited: Parent–Youth Co-residence and the Negotiation of Adulthood in Hong Kong

Abstract

<p>Parent–youth co-residence has become a growing trend worldwide. In Hong Kong, the cultural practice of ‘guan’ – an entangled form of parental care and control – presents a valuable case to study young adults’ lives in co-residence. Drawing on data from 24 semi-structured interviews with young people, this study analyzes how guan has four co-existing dimensions where acts of kindness and restriction occur and overlap. This is particularly present in key areas of life, marriage and sexuality, and personal finances. Findings show that young people may struggle with parents’ caring intervention into their personal lives on the one hand, and the enforced restrictions on behavior that are underlined by a duty of care on the other. Despite this, some young adults reveal nuanced sentiments, such as showing a sense of respect and duty for their parents despite this clashing with their autonomy. Children find ways to resist, fostering a semblance of autonomy. Building on guan, this study challenges the broader co-residence literature by approaching care and control as simultaneous actions, showing how such intertwined practices can contribute to understanding the uncharted experience of parental care in young adulthood.</p>