My Loving Home Story has attracted nearly 5,000 entries. The touching stories also shed light on Hong Kong people's perception about home. The Club conducted an analysis of the entries to identify the latest loving home trend.
Who listens to you most at home? In fact, age is a major factor that affects people's answers to this question.
About 60% of entrants aged below 30 named parents as their source of emotional support, and 50% found mothers the most understanding listeners. It shows parents' key role in children's growth. Family love is source of comfort and encouragement for children at different stages of their development, and parents can guide them in finding the proper values and face challenges. Nearly 30% of those aged between 12 and 29 found support in siblings, as they are closer in age, thinking and interest. After 30, people tended to desire spousal support as part of the harmonious marital relationship. About 20% of those above 30 looked to children for love and care, showing that love can fill any generation gaps.
A small act may seem insignificant, but it can be a great encouragement. 60% said small acts conveyed powerful love. For examples, offering a hot soup or writing daily email to children is strong sign of care.
A word of comfort, a hug or a simple 'I support you' helps cheer family members when they have difficulty. People aged below 30 and those below 12 in particular need family encouragement to remain positive when facing adversity (up to 40%). One entrant who has just started high school has overcome the difficulty with his mother's encouragement, which contributed to healthy development. People aged above 50 found family love a strong support when they are sick. For example, a cancer-stricken elder recovered with his wife's encouragement and he's now living happily with his children, grand children and grand grand children.
True love comes from understanding. According to the analysis, half of the entrants agreed that tolerance, comfort and assistance are deeds of love and understanding. People of different ages will have different expectation of getting understood.
One in four children below 12 found body touch like their hands being held tightly a sign of love. Teenagers above 12 have different expectation, as they want family members to listen to them. Adults tend to believe that company by family members in times of hardship was already a show of love. The analysis shows that different expressions of love are required for family members in different stages of their development.