EYE ON THE SPARROW:

Hong Kong's abused husbands (Damian Grammaticas, 13 December, 2002, BBC)

Hong Kong has suffered two recessions in the past four years. In these tough times, it is middle-aged and older men who have been losing their jobs.

At home, the strain is making marriages crumble. Wives who find their husbands can no longer provide for them are hitting out.

Hong Kong's economic woes are also accelerating some deep-seated social changes. Women in Chinese societies used to be confined to subordinate roles in the home.

Increasingly they are getting their own jobs. The are becoming more independent and more assertive.

In the hostel they are seeing more and more men who have been beaten for being unfaithful to their wives, or for having a concubine, the old Chinese practice of a second wife.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 14, 2002 10:44 AM