A territory-wide survey conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups found that 75 per cent of young respondents did not agree with lowering the age of marriage from 21, mainly because people under 21 were perceived to be immature.  Respondents with a higher level of education were more critical of the change than those with a less education.  Some 20 per cent, however, agreed with the change, saying that one should be able to get married at any age, according to individual preference.  Younger respondents were more supportive of the change than their older counterparts.

     The survey noted that respondents had a different view on the traditional role of men and women.  As many as 87 per cent supported women in taking the initiative to ask for date, while around 72 per cent accepted cohabitation as an option, and 65 per cent unopposed to premarital sexual intercourse. 

     Nevertheless, the survey also noted that respondents still maintained some traditional views on marriage.   Around 80 per cent of respondents considered "courtship followed by marriage" as the most ideal scenario, with another 10 per cent opting for a trial marriage before formalizing their union.  Only 6 per cent discounted getting married, suggesting that whatever the type of courtship, a majority of respondents would consider finally getting married.  Almost 40 per cent agreed that not getting married in a lifetime would be regretful, illustrating that young people still regarded marriage as a necessary experience in one’s life.  90 per cent rebuffed extramarital affairs and a further 70 per cent showed confidence in sustaining a marriage forever. 

     More than half of the respondents admitted that the marriage of their parents had affected their own views.  Meanwhile, a majority of respondents looked for parental consent towards their marriage, with more than 40 per cent saying that they would continue to pursue their parents if they rejected their intention to marry.  Another 30 per cent put the issue aside and wait for an appropriate time.  Only less than 20 per cent adopted a confrontational stance by keeping on their views to get married.

 

        What caught our attention was the receptiveness of respondents to the concept of "unwed mothers".  A significant portion of respondents (40 per cent) accepted a woman's right to have a baby and form a family only with her child without marriage.  

        The telephone poll, conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups from 15 to 21 August, successfully interviewed 514 young people aged between 15 and 29.  The survey noted that most respondents welcomed women in taking an initiative to arrange a date.  50 per cent respondents agreed to the idea of looking for a marriage partner through matchmaking service centres, while 20 per cent accepted the same through the ICQ.

         When asked what age would be the most suitable to get married, slightly more than 50% of respondents said that it should be between 25 and 29.  30 per cent opted for 30 or older, indicating that some respondents preferred a late marriage.  An overwhelming majority of 90 per cent and 80 per cent of respondents agreed that one should have a sound financial base or have one's own accommodation before getting married.  Another 80 per cent of respondents were of the view that marriage could increase one's sense of responsibility. 

     Statistically there was a significant difference in the answers of respondents according to gender.  Compared to men, women were more likely to accept the concept of "unwed mothers", and were more inclined to agree with the notion that one should have one's own accommodation before getting married.  Men, on the other hand, were more open-minded towards women taking the initiative to arrange a date, looking for a partner through the ICQ and extramarital affairs.