Intergenerational family support for ‘Generation Rent’: the family home for socially disengaged young people

Wong, M. T. O. (2019) Intergenerational family support for ‘Generation Rent’: the family home for socially disengaged young people. Housing Studies, 34(1), pp. 1-23. (doi: 10.1080/02673037.2017.1364713)

Abstract

This paper critically discusses the concept of intergenerational family support in housing for young people. Recognizing increased difficulties faced by the younger generation in the housing market, this paper highlights that support from older family members is increasingly important. Nonetheless, it is critiqued that the role of the family home has been largely ignored in the current ‘generation rent’ discourse. By drawing on recent youth studies debates, this paper argues living in the family home could be an important form of support in housing, especially for marginalized youth. This paper presents insights from qualitative studies in Hong Kong and Scotland and analyses interview accounts of socially disengaged young people. It reflects how remaining at the family home could be interpreted as intergenerational support, and further elicits complexities in expectations, negotiations and emotions involved. This analysis offers new evidence and a more nuanced perspective of intergenerational family support in housing research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wong, Dr Mark
• Authors: Wong, M. T. O.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Housing Studies
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• ISSN: 0267-3037
• ISSN (Online): 1466-1810
• Published Online: 16 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Housing Studies 34(1):1-23
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher