Alexandra StevensonGeverifieerd account

Families have been strained, friendships broken. Hong Kong's future was once bright. High living costs began to weigh in recent years. But these days, people worry less about that. "Rather, they talking about whether Hong Kong is a place where you want to raise your children."

The protests have taken a toll on Carrie Lai, 45. She held back tears as we talked about recent protests. “I hate myself for being unable to join them at the frontline,” she explained. But, she added, “I just don’t see a future or a way out."

Marriage and starting a family are no longer topics that Edmond Chan, 29, and his girlfriend talk about. His role has changed from a math teacher to guidance counselor to students who can't talk at home. Yet he can't talk to his own parents who refuse to talk politics.