Navigating discord : unpacking the parent-child political incongruence amidst the 2019 social unrest and its impact on family relationships

Abstract

The 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong gave rise to polarization along the yellow-blue political spectrum, particularly between young adults supporting the anti-government yellow camp and their parents supporting the pro-government blue camp. Scholars have recently acknowledged that political divide and associated affective polarization (i.e., outgroup hate) can exist among family members, challenging cross-generational relationships. Yet, the roots of parent-child political incongruence and its longer-term consequences are not well-studied. Utilizing data from forum comments, surveys, and diaries collected from 2019 to 2021, this thesis investigates 1) the moral disagreements contribute to political incongruence between young adults and their parents; 2) how parent-child political incongruence affects individuals' personal and family life in polarized contexts like Hong Kong; and 3) protective factors in family dynamics that can mitigate the impact of political incongruence on parent-child connections. This thesis consists of five main chapters. Chapter 2 addresses the theoretical question of whether the moral underpinnings of political polarization apply to parent-child political incongruence, affirming that opposing political attitudes between young and older generations are rooted in their differing moral foundations. Netizens’ narratives revealed the moral reasons driving their political conflicts with family members and the associated tensions. Drawing from cross-sectional and repeated-measure studies, Chapters 3 and 4 examine the detrimental impact of parent-child political incongruence on personal and familial well-being. Chapter 3 demonstrates that parent-child political incongruence between yellows and blues was observed even two years after the 2019 social unrest, negatively affecting positive communication and family functionality. Such incongruence was linked to subsequent deterioration in family functionality due to reduced expressions of love and care. Chapter 4 examines alternative forms of political incongruence within families, specifically with one self-describing as neutral and their partisan family members (e.g., yellow/blue), and its harm to both familial relationships and mental health. Chapter 5 investigates family life amidst parent-child political incongruence. Maintaining frequent parent-child contact, especially with fathers, fostered perceived family support regardless of differing political views. Everyday contact increased expressions of love and care towards family members, with family meals buffering the negative impact of political incongruence among older adults. Lastly, Chapter 6 summarizes key findings, discusses implications for reconciling parent-child political incongruence, and addresses the thesis's limitations. This thesis enhances understanding of the origins and consequences of political incongruence within families, emphasizing the importance of effectively managing these conflicts and promoting parent-child connectedness.