This article presents the Elder Academy (EA) Network as the policy and practice in promoting active ageing through elder learning in Hong Kong. First, the article examines how the change in demographics and the prevalent trend of an ageing population have propelled the government in Hong Kong to tackle issues and challenges brought about by an increasing proportion of the elderly population. Second, the political and cultural contexts are critically discussed to identify the rationale underlying the successive implementation of a series of major reforms within a short time in areas including elderly welfare by the postcolonial Hong Kong government. Third, the Elder Academy Network is introduced to provide a model of cross-sectoral collaboration in the provision of elder learning involving the government as coordinator working jointly with schools, service agencies, and universities to form a network of elder academies providing a myriad of learning opportunities for elders to pursue in their late-life years. Finally, the EA network is critiqued for its benefits and limitations, warranting a need for research and evaluation before the Hong Kong experience can be shared and the EA model of active ageing through elder learning can be emulated in places outside of Hong Kong.
[Copyright of Educational Gerontology is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2013.750931]

Early school leavers cannot access school-based sex education programmes, increasing their vulnerability to sexual health issues. This study evaluated a culturally-sensitive and target-orientated sex education programme involving this group. Early school leavers were recruited from two branches of the Chinese Young Men's Christian Association in Hong Kong. These potential peer educators (PEs) attended five three-hour workshops providing comprehensive sex and sexuality education. They then provided peers with sex education, whilst receiving continuing support and attending additional training and activities. The Safer Choice Student Health Questionnaire, Mathtech Student Course Evaluation and Student Assessment of Course Impact questionnaires and Behavioral Intent Questionnaire were used to assess attitudes towards the programme and changes in knowledge, attitudes, practices regarding sex and sexual health. Of 60 PEs, 97% completed the workshop course. Seven months post intervention, changes in attitude towards contraception (p = 0.01) and a lower likelihood of having sex (p < 0.001) were found amongst PEs. At 14 months, PEs were less likely to have sex (p < 0.001) and were more comfortable talking about sex with friends and family (p = 0.01) but no difference was observed in pre-training and post-training tests among 545 targeted peers. The intervention successfully engaged the heavily involved PEs, and had some positive effects on their willingness to discuss sexual health issues, their perceived likelihood of having and their attitude towards sexual intercourse.
[Copyright of Sex Education is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2011.538153]

This study explored the meaning of sexuality for older Chinese people from diverse backgrounds and the role of traditional Chinese cultural values in shaping sexual expression. A total of 20 Hong Chinese elders were interviewed. Most reported a rigid definition of sexual behaviour, confining it to heterosexual sexual intercourse. Kissing, hugging and caressing were not considered 'sexual', and same-sex relationships were virtually absent from respondents' conceptions of sexuality. Traditional patriarchal values in relation to sexuality prevailed. Men and women attached different meanings to sexuality. Neither believed that sex was enjoyable for women or that women needed sex in the same way as men. Female participants saw sex as part of their responsibility to procreate and to fulfill their husband's needs. Male participants considered sex to be important for fulfilling their physical drives. The lack of an appropriate partner due to widowhood, the partner's physical condition or a poor spousal relationship apparently accounted for the low levels of sexual activity reported by informants.
[Copyright of Culture, Health and Sexuality is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2011.605471]