弃婴、童工与妹仔：基督教与香港儿童研究（1848-1938）

Abstract

卢淑樱，香港中文大学历史系讲师，主要致力于中国文化史、性别史、儿童史研究。

【中文摘要】1848—1938年,基督教（包括天主教与基督新教）对香港儿童生活及概念产生影响。开埠之初，外国传教士陆续踏足香港，照顾殖民地的贫苦儿童；及至20世纪初，基督新教团体领袖推动反蓄婢运动，迫使殖民政府立法取缔“妹仔”（即家庭女役）。从救助孤雏、提供教育机会到反对蓄婢，基督教积极改善战前香港儿童的生活。然而，儿童概念并未能在战前得以普及。本文首先聚焦法国沙尔德圣保安禄女修会在香港开埠初期救助儿童的服务，继而讨论20世纪20年代由基督新教团体领袖主导的反对蓄婢运动。虽然基督教积极改善香港儿童生活，但却未能在战前普及重视儿童的概念。第三部分综观基督教对普及战前香港儿童概念的影响。
 【Abstract】 This paper examines the impact of Christianity in affecting the life of Hong Kong children and the concept of childhood from 1848 to 1938. It is argued that both Catholics and Protestants paid great effort to help children of Hong Kong. The Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres was keen on saving the abandoned babies, especially girls, since the mid-19th century. In the early 20th century, leaders of many local Christian organizations participated in the Anti- Mui Tsai Movement, urging the Colonial Government to abolish this system in 1938. Although Christianity helped improve the livelihood of Hong Kong children, the concept of childhood had not been change a lot nor widespread.