The Unfinished Coming-of-Age

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Traditional coming-of-age rituals—marked by trials, challenges, and clear markers of adulthood—have largely faded in modern life, yet the unspoken expectations and pressures of “becoming an adult” still linger, often leaving us unsure when the process is truly complete. This issue listens to young people as the primary voices in this unfinished transition, gathering their imaginings, emotions, and frustrations about growing up, while questioning youth workers on the systemic barriers to guiding transitions and exploring alternative paths beyond conventional frameworks. Bundled exclusively with the companion report 《為何我們無法成為理想中的大人？》—a Hong Kong youth profile analysis that honestly confronts why, despite more opportunities and resources, this generation feels increasingly lost, guilty even in rest, and isolated in their struggles—this set probes the quiet, ongoing struggles of personal growth across generations. We all grew up somehow; this may be a question that demands answers from every age.