Negotiating Change and Continuity: Parental and Community Influences on Sport Participation and Identity among South Asian Youth in Hong Kong

Second-generation South Asian youth (aged 8–12) in Hong Kong navigate ethnic marginalization and social integration, shaping their participation in community-based sports and dual ethnic-sport identities. This study explores how parental support, cultural values, and community contexts influence engagement in Hong Kong’s post-colonial, multicultural urban setting, marked by colonial legacies in sport infrastructure. Using a mixed-methods approach grounded in a socioecological framework and Bourdieu’s social theory, it combines surveys (n=800) to quantify participation rates and barriers with semi-structured interviews (n=60) to explore identity formation. Preliminary findings show that parental encouragement and accessible community facilities significantly boost participation, while systemic barriers such as limited culturally responsive programs, language barriers, and socioeconomic disparities (e.g., high program costs) hinder involvement. These insights highlight opportunities for NGOs and policymakers to design inclusive sport initiatives, fostering social cohesion. The study contributes to discussions on cultural continuity (persistent marginalization) and change (integration through sport) in contemporary Chinese society, offering evidence-based recommendations to enhance equitable sport access for ethnic minority youth. Longitudinal studies could further track identity development, informing sustained inclusion efforts.