Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
With just two years until graduation, Charis* feels the weight of her future. Each morning, she and her classmates rush to finish homework they were too tired to finish the night before. They find moments to rest on campus when they can.
“I often get compared to people around me, whether it’s about my passions or academics,” said the 15-year-old student.
“When we see others doing better, we blame ourselves for not trying hard enough, which adds to the stress.”
The student said she would be happier if she could have “more social life and extended deadlines for schoolwork”.
“I hope the education system in Hong Kong can ease some of the pressure so that my generation – and future generations – can learn in a less stressful environment,” Charis said.
A record low for happiness
The Form Four student is not alone in feeling down.
Last year, the city’s happiness index was 5.88 out of 10. This was Hong Kong’s lowest score in 10 years. This data was released in July from a study by HK.WeCare, a concern group under Wofoo Social Enterprises.
HK.WeCare surveyed 1,283 people and asked them 74 questions about social well-being, health, and depressive symptoms.
Impact on childhood
Phoebe Wan is a programme director at HK.WeCare. She said that the decline in happiness showed the need to understand how people are affected by being raised with such a strong focus on academics and careers.
According to Wan, Hong Kong’s intense focus on studies affects young people’s happiness.
“From as early as kindergarten, life value is often equated with academic performance and securing a good job,” she explained. “Long-term planning can be good, but focusing too far into the future isn’t always beneficial.”
Avis Ngan, a clinical psychologist in Hong Kong, said: “When perfect grades and rankings become your only measure of self-worth, you’re sinking in quicksand – the harder you struggle with self-criticism, the deeper you go.”
Change is needed
Wan added that students were often scared to share their feelings with others.
A lack of open communication in families is affecting children’s well-being. “We often tell children, ‘Don’t hide your emotions, speak up.’ But for them to open up, they need to feel safe,” Wan said.
Wan called for more relatable life education in schools to address these issues. She noted that the goal should be encouraging open communication and emotional support at home and in schools.
“It’s about creating a culture where children feel heard and supported without fear of judgment,” she said.
*Name changed at interviewee’s request
Quiz time
Stop and think: Charis feels that constant comparison to other classmates in a school setting is a detriment to her happiness. Overall, she thinks that the education system is a bit too stressful for students, which contributes to her drop in happiness.
Think about it: The survey revealed that happiness levels in Hong Kong are the lowest in 10 years, with a concerning 5.88 out of 10.
Answer this: Wan encourages open communication within families because young people are often nervous about sharing their true feelings.
