In the mid-20th century, as Hong Kong's population grew rapidly, so did the number of children. At that time, Hong Kong children were born in a turbulent and changeable era with difficult living conditions, but they still showed a tenacious and optimistic side.
A barefoot boy carrying a bamboo basket on his shoulder walks on Queens Road around Admiralty.
In the early days, many children in Hong Kong were engaged in hard work from an early age, carrying heavy loads on the streets to deliver goods, reflecting how difficult the environment in which they grew up.
Although the boy's expression cannot be seen clearly in the photo, his indomitable vitality can still be seen from his wild and radiant figure.
Although the boy was holding a bamboo pole with a relatively high weight, he got along well with the roadside clerk and other children, laughed together and appeared carefree. At that time, he did not seem to understand the various troubles and burdens of growing up, and maintained a state of innocence and ignorance.
In Hong Kong in the 1930s, when many houses did not have running water, two girls accompanied the women in the household, each holding a utensil containing drinking water, standing at the faucet on the street, probably helping their families with their laundry.
It shows that girls who grow up in Hong Kong, especially daughters at home, often have to take on a lot of housework and become important helpers in the family. Living conditions in those days were very difficult, and girls had to learn to take responsibility from an early age.
A woman working as a mobile mending worker sits in front of a newly established Chinese medicine shop. Since the society was not yet developed at that time, she could not place her two children elsewhere, and had to let the children accompany her. The children are young and can only sit on the ground and play, accompanying their mothers to work.
At that time, Hong Kong's social economy had not yet fully developed, and many families had a difficult life. Women often need to work outside the home to help families increase their income, but also take care of their children. In the absence of suitable childcare facilities or babysitters, some women had to bring their children to the workplace and let them play on the sidelines, in difficult conditions.
In the 1940s, two girls walked the streets with their younger siblings on their backs. One of the girls suddenly looked back curiously at the tourists filming at a time when some families in Hong Kong lived in poverty, and girls needed to become helpers in the family from an early age, responsible for taking care of their younger siblings.
This photograph shows children having to take care of each other on the streets of Hong Kong's Central in the early 1950s, when both parents went out to work. An older sister, carrying her younger brother, came down a busy street and asked passers-by for a little change to buy some food to fill her stomach.
This reflects that some families had a relatively tight economic situation at that time, and children needed to bear certain responsibilities from an early age and help each other through difficulties. Society has not yet fully developed, and protection for vulnerable groups is not enough.
Two girls run barefoot through the streets with their younger siblings on their backs, perhaps taking their younger siblings out in search of something to eat or taking some free time to play together.
The streets of Hong Kong are full of children. They are either naked or ragged, and it can be seen that most of them come from poor families. Due to the crowded living environment, these children play and frolic in the streets all day, relying on each other and interacting with the environment. Children from wealthy families are supervised by babysitters and neatly dressed.
A naked boy, holding a thin bamboo pole with several grain baskets and things hanging from it, was moving happily through the street. They seem to be imitating the way adults work, giving people a sense of childishness and innocence.
It's a laid-back scene. A group of barefoot children gathered in the street, seemingly playing group games. Some of them are in the circle, some are watching from the periphery, and they first decide who starts the game first by guessing the boxing. The innocent smiling faces of the children are full of joy.
A group of little girls sat on wooden boards for decoration, talking and playing with their mother and her two sons, each with a smile on their faces, looking happy and enjoying the time. This reflects the relative harmony of families in some parts of Hong Kong at that time, children could play with each other leisurely on the streets, and children's childhood or community life was relatively simple and simple.
Despite the hardships of life, these children never gave up their lives. They are happy to imagine, create games, and joke with each other. Children's boundless curiosity and adaptability allow them to find joy in difficult circumstances. In Hong Kong at that time, these barefoot children were everywhere, and they were a testimony to the vitality of the city.
Photos show the children wearing hats, matching clothes and holding small drum sticks, looking like the rest of the parade band. This suggests that they may have been members of the band at the funeral.
A celebratory parade to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the King's accession to the throne in Hong Kong. It can be seen that many children in Hong Kong wear different costumes and actively participate in this grand event.
Generations of children have grown up in Hong Kong and witnessed the city. With their innocence and optimism, they have weathered difficult times and painted a colorful side of the city. Childhood memories make up the unique character of the city.
In a village in the New Territories, a little girl practicing writing with a brush on a folding stool on a platform was described as the lucky one because most girls in that village could not write.
Some neatly dressed teenagers at Happy Valley Meadow Plaza in Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong, stand at makeshift open-air tables and chairs to taste their own lunch. At that time, Happy Valley was mainly a British activity place, and the restaurant club only accepted foreigners, no matter how wealthy the Chinese family was, they could not enter. Only open-air dining on the lawn can be an option.
This reflects the apartheid in Hong Kong at that time, with some areas and places with clear restrictions on the Chinese, reflecting the influence of racist policies during the colonial era.
For the sake of their children's future, the new generation of parents does their best to provide educational opportunities. During school classes and after school hours, you can see busy children. The little girl sat on a stool and concentrated on her homework, showing the vitality of the new generation in Hong Kong. The role of children is even more important during the festival, as they are important performers in various celebrations. Children often participate in activities in pairs. Accompanied by their elders, they worship religiously at the graves of their ancestors; Children from some wealthy families also go to the racecourse with their elders to watch the horse racing extravaganza.
After experiencing poverty and hardship, children in Hong Kong have cultivated a strong will and resilience to endure hardships. These colorful scenes are created by the new generation of children, continuing a century-old tradition. They demonstrate the hard work, creativity and adaptability of Hong Kong's new generation. These children are the hope of Hong Kong society, and their growth and struggle will surely make unlimited contributions to the future of Hong Kong.
#Autumn Life Punch Season##Historical Review#