This paper examines how wealth and education shape intergenerational bonds, support, and conflicts in contemporary Hong Kong. Existing literature on intergenerational relationships suggests that families with high socio-economic status (SES) tend to emphasize independence and individualistic values, whereas lower SES families exhibit stronger interdependence and reciprocal care. Moreover, intergenerational conflicts are reported to be more frequent in high-SES families. Drawing on ethnographic data collected between 2024 and 2025, we observed similar patterns but delve deeper into the complex dynamics underlying these trends. We found that money can, to some extent, alienate intergenerational relationships among wealthy families, echoing classical sociological theories about the distancing effects of monetary exchange. However, many parents engage in relational work with their adult children by offering non-reciprocal financial support. This practice not only symbolically negotiates relational closeness but also influences the frequency of physical interactions. Conflicts over authority and caregiving roles—such as disputes over childcare—are more prevalent among educated families. In contrast, when conflicts arise in low-SES families, both parties tend to be more willing to compromise, driven by a mutual recognition of shared vulnerabilities. By examining the lived experiences of the aging population across different social strata, this paper contributes to ongoing debates on intergenerational relationships, social stratification, and aging in Asian contexts.

About the speakers:

Prof Cheris S C Chan

Cheris S. C. Chan received her PhD in sociology from Northwestern University. Her writings have appeared in the American Journal of Sociology, British Journal of Sociology, Theory and Society, Social Psychology Quarterly, International Sociology, China Quarterly, and Modern China among others. She has won a number of article and book awards, and was a recipient of the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship by the Research Grant Council in Hong Kong. Her current projects include the social credit system in China, zen meditations in greater China, and elderly wellbeing in Hong Kong.

Ms Wendy K.Y. Lee

Wendy K.Y. Lee is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Hong Kong. Her research explores aging identity among Christians and Buddhists and well-being in later life. She is currently a senior research assistant for a collaborative HKU-Harvard project on elderly wellbeing in Hong Kong.

📅 Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

🕑 Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

📍 Venue: CJT-9.29

🗣️ Language: English

🔗 Register here: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=103735