Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine intergenerational learning behaviour within ten Hong Kong families between Generation X parents and their Generation Y children. It tries to investigate intergenerational knowledge exchange, identify the characteristics of learning behaviour and culture in their ‘learning families’.

A narrative inquiry approach is adopted asking participants to recall and tell stories describing their personal intergenerational learning experiences. Results indicate that 80% of the participants thought their family is a ‘learning family’, and intergenerational family learning is happy experience and can be bi-directional. A positive family learning culture facilitates intergenerational learning especially in the Generation Y à X direction. Learning methodology differs between the two generations due to societal changes and differences in their upbringing.

A conceptual framework of intergenerational family learning in relation to lifelong learning is developed. The government and public should re-define teaching and learning practise and promote intergenerational learning even in schools.

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