Factors Contributing to Premarital Sexual Behaviours among Hong Kong Teenagers and Ways to Promote Sexual Abstinence

LIBEREAL STUDIES
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY STUDY REPORT
Jockey Club Ti-I College
Lam Lok Yee

Title:
Factors Contributing to Premarital Sexual Behaviours among
Hong Kong Teenagers and Ways to Promote Sexual Abstinence

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank the following people for their generous help and guidance. Without them, completion of the study would be impossible.

My Teachers

I would like to thank them for their patience, guidance and time spent on my study.

Respondents of the Questionnaire

I would like them for their patience on completing the questionnaire. The Interviewees

I am grateful for helping me make the study comprehensive by giving in-depth personal information.

My English Tutor

I would like to thank her for the helpful advices and her help on distributing the questionnaires.

My Mother

I would like to thank her for helping me with the printing and layout of the study.

Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. Research Objectives
3. Research Methodology
3.1 Questionnaire and its limitations
3.2 Interview and its limitations
4. Literature Review
5. Significant Findings
5.1 Personal information
5.2 Reason for acceptance or engagement in premarital sexual behaviours
5.3 Reasons for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
5.4 Ways to promote sexual abstinence
6. Discussion and Suggestions
6.1 Reasons for teenagers’ acceptance for and engagement of premarital sexual behaviours 6.2 Ways to promote sexual abstinence to teenagers
7. Conclusion
8. Reflection
9. Bibliography
10. Appendix
10.1 Questionnaire
10.2 Interview Transcript

1. Introduction
It came to my awareness that there is an increasing trend of sexual intercourse experience among teenagers in recent years. And the problem of teenage pregnancy has become a growing cause of concern of Hong Kong people. According to a survey done by the Hong Kong Council of Social
Service in 2007, over half of the respondents have sex for the first time at the age of 14, and 83% of the respondents accept sexual intercourse. These data reflects that teenagers’ sex concepts are getting open and premarital sex is gaining popular acceptance.
Under information explosion, I dread more and more teenagers will be exposed to pornographic or other harmful materials, driving them to have premarital sex, ultimately results in teenage pregnancy and bring intergenerational suffering. Worse still, sex today is still a taboo issue. People tend to avoid talking about it because it seems negative and they think it is embarrassing to share the experience, fearing that others may look down upon them. I therefore want to find out why teenagers accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours by giving out questionnaires where respondents are anonymous and their privacy thoughts can be protected. Then by the end of the project, based on the reasons why some teenagers accept or engage in premarital sex and why some do not, I could give suggestions to different on ways to promote sexual abstinence.

2. Research Objectives
The objectives of the study are as follows:
－To find out why teenagers accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours
－To understand why some teenagers refrain from premarital sexual behaviours
－To make use of reasons for teenagers to refrain from premarital sexual behaviors to suggest ways to promote sexual abstinence
－To see what ways can be adopted by different stakeholders to promote sexual abstinence
－To see in what ways the sex education curriculum can be improved
－To raise teenagers’ awareness on the issue

3. Research Methodology
3.1. Questionnaire
The target respondents are teenagers aged 12-19. 100 responses were collected by simple random sampling. The questionnaire consists of four parts. The first part seeks to understand respondents’ background and to know whether or not they accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours. The second part asks the respondents why do not they accept and engage in premarital sexual behaviours. The third part asks others why they accept or engage in the behaviours. The final part asks how sexual abstinence can be effectively promoted to them.
Limitations and Respective Solutions
I put my questionnaire online to enable easy access. Yet some reflected to me that they could not understand the English. I then translated my questionnaire into Chinese so more could understand what I am trying to ask.
I created an event on Facebook to invite my friends fill out my questionnaire. I get many responses, yet most respondents are within my social circle. This makes the study not credible as it cannot reflect what different teenagers in society think. To make my study more representative,
I left 40 copies at my English tutor’s home, and each of her student did it.
Lastly, the length of the questionnaire may make respondents feel tedious. Also, the data collected may not be detailed or in-depth enough. Thus, the questionnaire encompasses mainly multiple choice questions. And interviews were carried out to obtain detailed responses. Also, sex is a taboo issue. Some may not be willing to disclose what they think. So, the data collected is anonymous.

3.2. Interviews
The data collection process includes three interviews. Detailed and in-depth first-hand information was obtained. Interviewee 1 is a 15-year-old Christian girl who refrains from premarital sexual behaviours. She was interviewed so that I could understand how religious values can be used to promote sexual abstinence. Interviewee 2 is a 17-year-old boy who is from a broken family, dropped out since he was 13, and engages in premarital sexual behaviours since he was 14. I would like to use his perspective to understand why some marginal youth engage in premarital sexual behaviour, and how we could promote sexual abstinence to them. Interviewee
3 is a teacher who has an 18-year-old son. I want to see if adults have some misconceptions on why teenagers engage in sexual behaviour and on their roles in promoting sexual abstinence.
These three persons have different education, economic and religious background. So, I can comprehensively understand what are the factors for teenagers’ engagement in premarital sexual behaviours. Limitations and Respective Solutions
Teenagers may not have enough understanding about why they engage or accept premarital sex.
They may overlook some reasons for their rejection or acceptance of premarital sexual behaviours. Therefore, the data collected maybe biased and subjective. Also, the questions I asked may not be comprehensive enough to look into the issue objectively and all-roundedly.
Lastly, the three interviewees could not represent all teenagers.
To make the interviews more representative of teenagers in Hong Kong, three interviewees from different backgrounds were chosen. And the subjective information could be complemented by past studies and questionnaires.

4. Literature Review
Premarital sex refers to intercourse before marriage. The Youth Sexuality Study1 reveals an increasing trend of sexual intercourse among Form 3 to Form 7 students. And according to a survey2 whose targets population is ’youth-at-risk’ under the age of 18, over half of the respondents had their first intercourse when they were 14. These data shows a growing prevalence of premarital sex, and has alarmed the public about this pressing issue.
Considerable factors were found to have contributed to the issue. First, insufficient parental sex education perceivably cause premarital sex. Amber Madison wrote in her book3 that many parents think teens’ friends influence their decisions to have sex the most, so they did not talk about sex with their kids. A study4 points out that nearly 98% of the interviewed parents indicated that they should be the primary source of sex-related information for their kids, yet only 24% of thought this was actually happening.
From these, researchers concluded that parents often underestimate the importance of their role in educating adolescents about sex.
Then, family background have far-reaching influence one’s attitude towards sex5. Ms. Lee Wai Ki, the chief social worker of Youth Outreach pointed out that part of the girls who were casual in sex was from problem families. And Alia Marwah-Eyres, the Chief Executive of Mother’s Choice, pointed out many of the girls who Mother’s Choice has been serving in the past 25 years are from poor, and often broken families. They thirsted for love, which they could not feel from their families. They then obtained care through hugs or kisses. Gradually they were willing to have sex with boys. Alia Marwah-Eyres from
Mother’s Choice suggested that parents of some teens do not have time to provide them with the support they need. Some even have to shift from home to home between relatives and family friends. They then feel that they do not have much love in their lives, and end up in looking for love and support elsewhere.6Edison Chan7, who had a pornographic scandal in 2008 illustrates the idea. His parents

1

The Youth Sexuality Study, Family Planning Association, 2006

2

青少年性行為概況調查, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, 2008

3

Amber Madison, Talking Sex with Your Kids, 2010

4

Journal of Adolescent Health, January 2011

5

‘Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong Economic Times, 9th

July, 2012
6
‘A much-needed lifeline for pregnant teens’, South China Morning Post, 3rd December, 2012
7

Sex Photo Scandal－ Complicated Family Background, Edison Chan Got Perverted

concealed their broken marriage until it was unveiled when he was 14. Being deceived, and to seek love,
Edison had sex for the first time. The collapse of family values can drive one to have premarital sex.
Peer pressure can drive one to have premarital sex. A senior8 at a high school in America addressed that peer pressure makes it almost impossible to stop having sex. Adolescents dread being thought to be outdated. They follow their friends to have sex so as to gain recognition and fit into the crowd. The lack of interpersonal skills can lead adolescents to have premarital sex.9 It is revealed that some girls longed to get into boys’ social circles. Sacrificing their purity, they had sexual intercourse with those boys. Tam
Chung Hoi, Chief President of Youth Outreach pointed out that those teen girls did not have many friends.
Having sex was the quickest and easiest way to get close to boys, yet the girls did not know the boys were taking advantage of them.
Pop culture is potent to affect one’s decision about sex. A research10 reveals that teens that had high exposure* to sexually degrading lyrics were more likely to have sexual intercourse. The song “California
Girls”11sung by Katy Perry consists of lyrics like ‘sex on the beach’, and this behaviour is considered what a hot girl should be doing in the song. The meaning of another song, ‘Inferior Animal’12 (低等動物) sung by Eason Chan depicts a guy falls in love with a girl just because of his desire for her body. These lyrics infuse adolescents with wrong values. Yet, broadcast containing sexual content can arouse teens’ awareness of their sexual behaviour. A research13 shows that over 67% of males and 79% of females agree that watching a TV show or a character they like dealing with teenage pregnancy makes them think more about their own risk about causing a pregnancy or getting pregnant. The overall effect of the media on teenager’s attitudes about sex has long been an issue of concern for parents and health care professionals as the media have both positive and negative impacts on adolescents.
8

Alexis Ware, A Teenager’s Thoughts: Pregnancy, Abortion, Sex and Peer Pressure, All Before Age13!, Empowered

Peace, September 27, 2010
9

Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong Economic Times, 9th July,

2012
10

Brian A, Primack et al, ‘Exposure to Sexual Lyrics and Sexual Experience among Urban Adolescents”, American

Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 2009
*

exposure was calculated by multiplying each respondent’s hours of music exposure by the percentage of his/her

favorite artist’s songs that contained sexually degrading lyrics)
11

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/k/katy_perry/california_girls.html

12

http://singxsing.com/lyrics/360/%E4%BD%8E%E7%AD%89%E5%8B%95%E7%89%A9

13

National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “Evaluating the Impact of MTV’s 16 and

Pregnant on Teen Viewers’ Attitudes About Teen Pregnancy,” Science Says, October 2010

Physical immaturity can activate adolescents sexually. Miriam Grossman wrote in his book14 that young minds, which are responsible for reasoning, suppression of impulses, and weighing the pros and cons of one’s decision, are not fully developed. And under stimulating or intense conditions, teens’ decisions are more likely to be shortsighted and driven by emotion. So apart from the circumstances they face, their underdeveloped minds also contribute to their premarital sexual activities.
Quests for love and self-esteem are also forces driving teenagers to have sex.15 According to the experience of Alia Marwah-Eyres, the Chief Executive of Mother’s Choice, most girls on crisis pregnancy are not naughty, but are just desperate for love. These girls do not have someone to tell them that their lives have values, and that they worth it. This results in low self-esteem, driving them to have sex. Upon completion of the literature review, it is felt that there are some knowledge gaps because most sources from the US. It is uncertain if what influences Hong Kong teens are the same. Other factors like government policy, movies and clubbing culture may also motivate our adolescents to have sex. Due to the existing unknowns about factors contributing to premarital sex, it is decided to compare the above factors with what Hong Kong teenagers think. Also, we all know that all sexual contacts carry risks.
Pregnancy and the infection of STDs harm both physical and mental health of teenagers. Unfortunately there is hardly a comprehensive programme for all stakeholders in promoting sexual abstinence. So, there is a need for finding ways to promote sexual abstinence.

14

Miriam Grossman, “You’re Teaching My Child What? The Truth About Sex Education,” Heritage Foundation,

August 2010
15
‘A much-needed lifeline for pregnant teens’, South China Morning Post, 3rd December, 2012

5. Significant Findings
5.1 Personal Information

Gender

47%

Male
Female

53%

Fig.1 Gender distribution of the respondents
There are more female respondents than male respondents. 53% of the respondents are male, while the other 47% are female.

Age

33%

25%
12-14 years old
15-17 years old
18-19 years old
42%

Fig.2 Age distribution of the respondents
Most respondents are aged between 15 and 17. They account for 42%. And 33% of the respondents are aged 18 to 19, while a quarter of them are at the age of 12 to 14.

Education Background
Primary Education
2%

10%

10%
Junior Secondary
Education

6%

Senior Secondary
Education

26%

Sub-degree or
Higher Dilpoma

46%

YiJin or IVE

Fig. 3 Education Background of the Respondents
The respondents are of various education backgrounds. Nearly half of them are on or have finished their senior secondary education. About a quarter of respondents are junior secondary students. 10% of the respondents have only completed their primary education, while 10% are holds or is studying for a degree.
Lastly, 2% of the respondents graduate from YiJin or IVE.

Do you accept premarital sexual behaviours? 20%

17%
Yes (Female)
No (Female)
Yes (Male)

27%

36%

No (Male)

Fig.4 Respondents acceptance for premarital sexual behaviours
The percentage of boys accepting premarital sexual behaviours is higher than that of girls by 10%. 56 respondents do not accept premarital sexual behaviours, while 44 respondents accept. There are more respondents who accept premarital sexual behaviours than who do not

Have you ever had any sexual experiences? 8%
Yes (Female)

35%

No (Female)
Yes (Male)
45%

No(Male)

12%

.
Fig. 5 Respondents’ sexual experiences
80% of the respondents do not have any sexual experience. The proportion of boys who have engaged in premarital sexual behaviours. The percentage of boys having sexual experience is 50% higher than that of girls. 5.2 Reason for acceptance or engagement in premarital sexual behaviours

What are the overriding reasons for your acceptance for premarital sexual behaviours?
Stable Relationship
It’s okay if I use a condom.
My parents set the examples.
It enhances intimacy between my lover and I.
Sex gives me love which I can 't get from family.
Male
My friends do it.

Female

It is a culture.
It 's trendy!
Movies portrait them!
It 's fun!
0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Fig.6 Reasons for respondents’ acceptance for premarital sexual behaviours
There are total 27 boys and 17 girls, making up a total of 44 respondents accepting premarital sexual behaviours. More than 90% of them think sex can enhance the intimacy between their lover and them.
More than 88% of the 44 accept the behaviours because they know they can use condoms. Almost 70% of the 44 accept the behaviour because they think they can obtain care and love from the sexual experience.
About 34% of the 44 regard the portrayal of premarital sexual behaviours in movies and their friends’ engagement in the behaviours as overriding reasons for the acceptance for premarital sexual behaviours.
About 30% of the 44 thinks sex can give them love which they cannot obtain from their family. A quarter of the 44 accepts premarital sexual behaviours because they think it is a culture or it is trendy. About 15% of the 44 think their parents’ examples and the fun of sex are overriding reasons for the acceptance for the behaviours. One girl regards stable relationship as her overriding reason for accepting premarital sexual behaviours. Why did you engage in premarital sexual behaviours?
It 's legal after 16!
I judt could not control myself.
I thought it was going to be fun.
It felt good.
I felt proud of it.
It made me have more friends of opposite sex.
Male
My parents did not care about me so I did whatever I want. Female

I wanted somenody to love me.
If we loved one another, why waited?
I loved him/her so much!
My lover wanted it.
It was valentine 's day/doomsday Christmas eve!
0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Fig.7 Reasons for respondents’ engagement in premarital sexual behaviours
12 male respondents and 8 female, making up a total of 20 respondents, have engaged in premarital sexual behaviours. More than half of them engaged in the behaviours because it is legal to have sex after
16. 40% of the 20 have the experience because their lovers wanted to have sex. 30% of the 20 engage in premarital sexual behaviours because the day was special or they loved their lovers a lot. A quarter of the
20 have the experience because they thought there is no reason to wait until they get married as they loved each other. 20% of the 20 engaged in premarital sexual behaviours because they wanted someone to love them, they parents did not care about them, they felt proud of having sex or they think having sex was a fun thing to do.

5.3 Reasons for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours

I do not engage in premarital sexual behaviours because I am afraid of getting sexually tranmitted diseases.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

7%
21%
17%

55%

Fig. 8 Fear of getting infected by STDs as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
76% of the 80 respondents who do not have any sexual experience do not engage in so because they are afraid of getting infected by Sexually Transmitted diseases. About a quarter of them disagree with the statement. I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because it can be a criminal offence.
Totally agree

Agree

16%

Disagree

Totally disagree

22%

24%
38%

Fig. 9 Fear of committing crime as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
60% of the 80 respondents agree that what makes them refrain from premarital sexual behaviours is that it can be a criminal offence. Other respondents do not consider sex can be a criminal offence as a reason for their practice of sexual abstinence.

I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because I value chastity.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

4%
7%
35%

54%

Fig. 10 Value of chastity as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
Almost 90% of the 80 respondents do not engage in premarital sexual behaviours because they value chastity. About 10% of them do not regard value for chastity as reason why they do not engage in the behaviours. I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because I am afraid getting pregnant or getting my partner pregnant.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

4%
9%
38%

49%

Fig. 11 Fear of getting pregnant or getting the partner pregnant as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
87% of the 80 respondents do not engage in premarital sexual behaviours because they are afraid of getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant. Only 13% of the 80 do not consider the fear of premarital pregnancies a cause for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours.

I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours due to my religious background.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

21%

30%

22%
27%

Fig. 12 Religious background as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
About half of the 80 respondents do not engage in premarital sexual behaviours because of their religious backgrounds, while the other half are not under religious influence.

I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because I do not want others finding out that I had such behaviours.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

10%
25%
28%

37%

Fig. 13 Fear from being discovered as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
62% of the 80 respondents refrain from premarital sexual behaviours because they do not want others to find out that they have the experience. 38% of the 80 do not engage in the behaviours not because they do not want others to find that out.

I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because my parents will kill me if I do so.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

13%
25%
25%
37%

Fig. 14 Parental pressure as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
62% of the 80 respondents do not engage in sexual behaviours because they think if they do so, they would be harshly punished by their parents. 38% of the 80 do not think their practice of sexual abstinence is caused by their parent’s disapproval.

I do not enage in premarital sexual behaviours because I have not found the love of my life.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

3%
21%
27%

49%

Fig. 15 Not Yet found the love of the life as a reason for refraining from premarital sexual behaviours
70% of the 80 respondents practice sexual abstinence because they have not found the love of their lives.
Whereas 30% of the 80 think their practice of sexual abstinence is not because of that they have not found the love of their lives.

What made you think that premarital sexual behaviours are unacceptable? I know sex does not equal love.

If we love one another enough, we can always wait.

Risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Male
Female
I respect my boyfriend/girlfriend 's will.

I want to preserve my chastity for my wife/husband.

My religious belief

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Fig. 16 Reasons for not accepting premarital sexual behaviours
There are 36 girls and 20 boys, making up a total of 56 respondents refraining from premarital sexual behaviours. About 64% of the 56 do not accept premarital sexual behaviours because they know that sex does not equal love. About 60% of the 56 do not accept such behaviours because they would like to preserve their chastity for their husbands or wives. About half of the respondents refrain from premarital sexual behaviours because of the risk of getting infected by Sexually transmitted diseases. About 40% do not accept the behaviours because they think if they love each other enough, they can always wait. About
20% of the 56 refrain from the behaviours owing to their respect for their boyfriend or girlfriend’s will.

5.3 Ways to Promote Sexual Abstinence
What is the most effective way in avoiding premarital sexual behaviours?
Avoid staying alone with my girl/boyfriend
Have firm stance to refuse
Have a thorough discussion with my girl/boyfriend
Learning about moral and ethics about sex and marriage

17% 16%
27%

40%

Fig. 17 Respondent’s thoughts on what the most effective way to prevent premarital sexual behaviours is
40% of the respondents think having a firm stance to refuse is the best way to avoid premarital sexual behaviours. About a quarter think having a thorough discussion with their boy or girlfriends is the best way. 17% of the respondents think learning about moral and ethics about sex and marriage is. And 16% think avoid staying alone with boy or girlfriends is the best way to avoid premarital sexual behaviours.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I receive advices on sexual abstinence in moral education.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

13%
37%
37%
13%

Fig. 18 Giving advices on sexual abstinence as a way to promote sexual abstinence
Half of the respondents think that if they receive advices on sexual abstinence in moral education, they can be discouraged from engaging in premarital sexual behaviours, while the other half does not think so.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I understand premarital sexual behaviours result in unwanted pregnancies.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

3%

10%

34%

53%

.
Fig. 19 Letting Understand unwanted pregnancy can be a result of premarital sexual behaviours as a way to promote sexual abstinence
87% of the respondents reveal that if they understand that premarital sexual behaviours can result in unwanted pregnancies, they may not engage in such behaviours. And 13% of them do not think this understanding can make them refrain from premarital sexual behaviours.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I know having premarital sexual behaviours can bring intergenerational suffering.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

1%
10%

22%

67%

Fig. 20 Letting know premarital sexual behaviours can bring intergenerational suffering as a way to promote sexual abstinence
Almost 90% of the respondent think if they know that premarital sexual behaviours can cause intergenerational suffering, they will not perform such behaviours. About 10% of them do not think so.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I am suggested ways other than sex to have fun. Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

6% 2%
19%

73%

Fig. 21 Suggesting ways other than sex to have fun as a way to promote sexual abstinence
92% of the respondents say they may practice sexual abstinence if they are suggested ways other than sex to have fun. Only 8% do not think they will refrain from premarital sexual behaviours even though they are given ways other than sex for fun.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I know that having premarital sexual behaviours may end up in court.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

4%
19%

26%

51%

Fig. 22 Letting know having premarital sexual behaviours can end up in court as a way to promote sexual abstinence
77% of the respondents reveal that if they know that having premarital sexual behaviours may end them up if court, they may not do it. The rest think the law cannot discourage them from performing the behaviours. I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I have smart and fun friends to hang out with, and get positive influence from them.
Totally agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally disagree

4%
8%
36%
52%

Fig. 23 Encouraging make fun and smart friends as a way to promote sexual abstinence
88% say if they have positive influence from smart and fun friends, they will not engage in prermarital sexual behaviours. 12% think having good friends will not make them refrain from the behaviours.

I can be dissuaded from having premarital sxual behaviours if I know I must reap what I sow.
Totally agree

Agree
10%

Disagree

Totally disagree

4%

30%

56%

Fig. 24 Letting know consequences of premarital sexual behaviours must be shouldered as a way to promote sexual abstinence
86% of the respondents say if they know they must bear the consequences of having premarital sexual behaviours, they will not engage in them. While 14% do not think the consequences can make them practice sexual abstinence.

Do you think sex education is effective in preventing premarital sexual behaviours?
Yes

No

48%
52%

Fig. 25 Respondents’ thoughts on effectiveness of sex education
Respondents who think that sex education is effective in preventing premaritals sexual behaviours is slightly more than the number of respondents who think sex education is ineffective in preventing the behaviours. Respondents think sex education is effective because it raises teens awareness of the lurking negative consequences and danger, as well as the cost of engaging in premarital sexual behaviours. And this is somewhat a warning which warns them to think twice. Also, education can affects ones’ value. In addition, sex education let teens know what sex is like without trying it themselves.
Other respondents think sex education is ineffective, some even accuse it as useless, and a waste of resources. Some think that it is ineffective because the sex education in Hong Kong is forcing so-called standard values on youngsters. And, instead of providing them perspectives to evaluate for themselves the importance of consequences of having sex, sex education are only stating facts which cannot impress youngsters. Most who think sex education is ineffective because most teenagers do not take sex education seriously, and learning about sexual abstinence does not imply they have to follow. Some extreme cases even reveal that sex education is promoting premarital sexual behaviours by teaching teens methods of contraception, and this may even increase the number of sex-related crimes.

6. Discussion
6.1 Reasons for teenagers’ acceptance for and engagement of premarital sexual behaviours
Teenagers accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours by virtue of various factors.
Research has found out that soft factors include parents, peers, lover, individuality, society and media, and the hard factors are legal punishment and contraception. Hard factors and lovers are of prime importance in driving teens to have sex.
The research conducted has found out that the possibility to prevent pregnancy and legal settings are the overriding reasons for teenagers’ acceptance or engagement in premarital sexual behaviours. These factors were not discovered in previous literatures, studies and news.
Referring to Figure 6, teenagers accept premarital sexual behaviours because they think it is okay if they use a condom. This reflects that they have a mindset that contraception can prevent pregnancy, so it is alright to have sex. Contraception makes teenagers think sex does not necessarily cause pregnancy, so there having sex has no responsibility to bear.
It is stated in Part XII in the Hong Kong Law that it is illegal to have sex with girls aged below
16. According to Figure 7, teenagers engage in sexual behaviour because they know it is legal after 16. The law appears to teenagers as ‘the government says it is okay to have sex after 16’.
This misconception makes teenagers feel society accept premarital sexual behaviours, and having sex brings no legal consequences.
Previous studies have not pointed out that teenagers’ relationships are an important factor making them accept premarital sexual behaviours. With reference to Figure 6, teenagers accept the behaviours because they think sex can enhance their intimacy between their lovers. Referring to Figure 7, some teens engage in the behaviours because it is romantic, and their lovers want it.
They love their lovers so much that there is no reason to wait until marriage, and one accept the behaviours because she has a stable relationship with her lover. These reflect that the care and treasure for their relationships make them accept or engage in sexual behaviours.
Both previous studies and the research conducted reveal that not knowing their values of existence is a reason for teenagers’ acceptance or engagement in premarital sexual behaviours.
According to Figure 6, teenagers accept premarital sexual behaviours because they feel that they can gain love and care from other people in the experience. And as shown in Figure 7, teenagers felt proud of their sexual behaviours, reflecting that sex can enhance their self-esteem. The second interview in appendix 5 the experience of Mother’s Choice and also reveals that some teens have sex because they live an empty life without a target. These indicate that some teenagers accept and engage in premarital sexual behaviours because they can seek the value of their life through sex
The previous studies, the interview and the research conducted all show that peer pressure is a factor contributing to premarital sexual behaviours among Hong Kong teenagers. Figure 6 and 7

show that teens accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours because their friends do it or it can bring them more friends. The interview with the dropout, as attached in the appendix, reflects that having friends who engage in premarital sexual behaviours and by follow suit, teenagers can gain a sense of belonging and affiliation. It is stated in the literature review that teenagers lack interpersonal skills, and having sex is the easiest and quickest way to make friends and fit into social circles.
The previous studies were in line with the research conducted: Parental influence can make teenagers accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours. With regard to Figure 6, teenagers accept premarital sexual behaviours because their parents did so, and they just follow. Both
Figure 7 and previous literatures show that teenagers engage in premarital sexual behaviours because their parents do not provide them with enough guidance, support and discipline.
According to the literature review, both representatives of the Youth Outreach and Mother’s
Choice pointed out that many teens who engage in premarital sex are from problem families.
Interviewee 2 exemplifies the point. Therefore, family problems contribute to teenage premarital sexual behaviours in Hong Kong.
Both previous studies and the research conducted show that the media are potent to drive teenagers to accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours. It is pointed out in the literature review that the more the teenagers expose to sexually degrading lyrics, the more likely they will have sexual intercourse. This means if teens are used to listening to songs with sexual content, they will normalize premarital sexual behaviours. Figure 6 shows that teens accept premarital sexual behaviours because movies portrait them. Recent movies like Lan Kwai Fong (喜愛夜蒲) and Marriage with a Liar (婚前試愛) sexual behaviours of pop stars like Chrissie Chow, Pakho
Chow, Shiga Lin and Him Law, who are teenagers’ idols. Previous studies have pointed out that teenagers watching a TV show or a character they like dealing with teenage pregnancy makes them think more about their own risk about causing a pregnancy or getting pregnant. But this seems to contradict with the research result as revealed in Figure 6.
It is newly found in the research that social factors can make teenagers accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours. With reference to Figure 6, teenagers accept the behaviours because it is a culture, and it is trendy. Western cultures like individualism and libertine prevails in society, creating a clubbing culture and the prevalence of one-night-stand. Figure 7 shows that some engage in the behaviours because it was special days like Christmas Eve, doomsday and Valentine’s Day. There is a saying that Christmas eve is the day to lose virginity (平安夜 , 失身夜). This implies that special days can be excuses for teenagers’ sexual behaviours.
Both previous studies and the research show that physical immaturity can be a reason for teenagers’ acceptance and engagement in premarital sexual behaviour. According to Miriam Grossman, young minds tend to make short-sighted and driven-by-emotion decisions. Referring to Figure 6, teenagers

accept sex because sex is fun, and referring to Figure 7, some have sex because it brings good feeling. Teenagers accept or engage in prermarital sexual behaviours because they can obtain physical excitement.

6.2 Ways to promote sexual abstinence
Reasons why some teenagers do not accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours can be good reference when finding ways to promote sexual abstinence. Teenagers refrain from premarital the behaviours for physical, ideological and interpersonal reasons. The below analysis is based on Figure 16 and 17.
First, for physical reasons, teenagers are afraid of getting sexually transmitted diseases. They are also afraid of getting pregnant or getting their partners pregnant. Also, they do not want to commit crimes.
Next, ideologically, teenagers value chastity. They would like to preserve their chastity for their husbands or wives. Knowing that sex does not equal love, teenagers refrain from sex as they believe that if they love their partners enough, they can always wait. Some refrain from sex due to their religious believes.
Lastly, interpersonal reasons encompasses parental and peer influence. Teenagers refrain from sex because they have enough love and care from family, and they think their parents will harshly punish them if they have sex. Some refrain because their friends also refrain from sexual behaviours. Many respect their boyfriends or girlfriend’s will. And some do not want others to know they have sex so they just do not have it.
The research suggests ways to promote sexual abstinence and asks teenagers to evaluate their effectiveness. It is found that avoid staying alone with girl or boyfriend, having firm stance to refuse, having thorough discussion with girl or boyfriend and learning about moral and ethics about sex and marriage are some ways to avoid having sex.
Understanding that premarital sexual behaviours can end up in court, cause unwanted pregnancies or even intergenerational suffering can also dissuade teenagers from having sex.
Some teenagers think that having fun friends to hang out with or being suggested ways to have fun can help them refrain from premarital sexual behavuours. It is also important for them to know that they must reap what they sow.
It is found that almost half of the teenagers think sex education cannot effectively promote abstinence. This reveals that the curriculum has room for improvement.
It is found via the interviews that the ways to promote sexual abstinence varies with teenagers’ background, and different stakeholders play different roles in spreading the message.
Based on the above findings, the following are ways for different stakeholders to promote sexual abstinence: The government plays in indispensable role in promoting sexual abstinence. Institutionally, the government should implement hard-line policies to discourage teenagers from having sex. It should set laws to prohibit teenagers under 18 from buying condoms. The government should

check the illegal selling of contraceptive pills, especially emergency pills. These can reduce the possibility of contraception and make sex seem more risky to teenagers.
The government should also make sex education mandatory in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Researches and studies have shown that the earlier the teens are infused with moral ethics, the more likely they practise sexual abstinence. At kindergarten level, children should be let known what their genders, what their difference between their opposite sex and them and what their private regions are. At such, children can learn to accept themselves as boys or girls. At primary level, children should be taught how to respect others’ bodies and how to differentiate good body contact from bad ones. In this sense, they can learn to protect themselves as they understand what the body contacts they should not have are. At junior secondary level, teenagers should understand that sexual contacts should only be conducted after getting married.
They should also understand that sex is only appropriate for couples. They should be taught what they should do when encountering sexual impulse. At senior secondary level, teenagers should be taught contraceptives cannot assure that neither pregnancy nor sexually transmitted diseases can be caused, and that contraceptives are for family planning and birth control, not for protecting teenagers from the risks of getting pregnant and getting their partners pregnant. In short, the sex education curriculum should teach teenagers how to reject premarital sexual behaviours by letting them learn ethics, but not teaching them how to use a condom to prevent pregnancy. Parents should indeed be the primary source of information about sex for teenagers. Parents should be open-minded to talk about sex-related issues with kids. They should not avoid their kids’ questions as this can deepen their curiosity and drive them to find out the answer themselves. Then teenagers will be exposed to pornographic materials or even try sex themselves.
Parents should also provide teenagers will love and care so that teenagers can have a sense of security. At such, they will not try to seek love from other sources. In other words, they will not be casual when finding partners or have sex rather casually. Parents themselves should set good examples. For example, if parents got the kid before marriage, they should admit that it is not good and explain the bad consequences of premarital sexual behaviours. Teenagers can then understand that they should not engage in premarital sexual behaviours as they usually trust what their parents say.
Schools should provide holistic education to teenagers. Moral and civil education should be include to instill students with ethics like sex is only appropriate for couples. Schools should also encourage teenagers to participate in different group activities in which there are both boys and girls. This can help establish healthy interpersonal relationships among boys and girls. At such, teenagers can know there is a boundary which must be strictly observed between boys and girls.
They may then know it is inappropriate to have sex with friends or anyone other than husbands or wives. There should be more social workers stationing at school. So, more workshops, exhibitions or consoling can be done to let students learn ethics or the importance of practicing sexual abstinence.
Organizations like Mothers’ Choice and Family Planning Associations can do more commercials on television and on websites like Facebook and forums demonstrating the bad consequence of premarital sexual behaviours. This can make more teenagers understand that they cannot afford

the cost of premarital sexual behaviours. They may then realize they should practise sexual abstinence. The media should also play a role in educating teenagers about sexual abstinence. For example, movies portraying clubbing culture should include some bad consequences of having premarital sexual behaviours so as to demonstrate to teenagers that sex is not something fun, but can be something potentially destructive before getting married. Singers or actors, as role models or idols of teenagers, should set good examples for teenagers to follow. In other words, if a star engages in premarital sex, teenage fans of him may tend to follow, thinking that his idol is always doing right things. So, if stars also promote sexual abstinence, teenagers may follow their idols’ advice out of admiration.
With the endeavor of the above stakeholders, it is less likely for teenagers to engage in premarital sexual behaviours.

7. Conclusion
From the research, it is found that teenagers engage or accept in premarital sexual behaviours largely because pregnancies can easily be avoided, sex can enhance the intimacy between their lovers and them and the government says it is legal after 16. These conceptions should be rectified so as to prevent teenagers from getting into predicaments of causing pregnancies or getting pregnant.
Indeed, other factors like pop culture, media and clubbing culture imperceptibly influence teenagers’ attitudes towards sex by osmosis. Such social environment makes premarital sexual behaviours normal and generally acceptable in teenagers’ eyes.
It is understandable that teenagers do have sexual impulses and are curious about sex. So, it is of prime importance to let teenagers know how to cope with their desires and learn the value of chastity. Government policies in making laws regarding the buying and selling of contraceptives, as well as allocating more resources on sex education are needed. More importantly, parents should play a supportive role to teenagers and provide them with love and care during growth and when facing adversities.
With the joint effort of different stakeholders from the government, the media, school and parents, it is in all likelihood that teenagers will refrain from premarital sexual behaviours for the sake of themselves.

8. Reflection and Suggestion
In this study, I have not only gained much knowledge about the causes for premarital sexual behaviours and ways to promote sexual abstinence, but also about organization, collection, analysis and interpretation of data. It was not easy to find a feasible, constructive, hot, debatable, and challenging topic which deserves further investigation for this study. By doing the proposal,
I learnt how to find something suitable and meaning to look into at our level as we are not trained in doing researches. After deciding the topic with assistance from my teachers, my decision-making skill improved.
I encountered lots of difficulties when seeking ways to collect data. After all, sex is quite a taboo topic which teenagers may not be willing to talk about. It is also not easy to set a questionnaire which is respondent-friendly and can directly answer my focusing questions. Due to limited time, it was quite difficult for me to collect a large sample to study. I then decided to put my questionnaire online and leave some for my English tutor to distribute. I even conducted three interviews. Thus, more diverse and comprehensive data can be obtained. After collecting data, my problem-solving skills were better off.
Seeing that sex education is not very useful in promoting sexual abstinence, I think organizations and the government should allocate more resources on sex education is it is important for teenagers, having said that premarital sexual behaviours can be destructive to teenagers’ lives.
Moreover, further study is needed for a comparison between factors triggering people to accept or engage in premarital sexual behaviours so that the specific and definite causes of the behaviours can be found. This can help find ways to promote sexual abstinence. Also, controlled studies on the different factors contributing to premarital sexual bahaviours are needed to find out whether they are necessary or sufficient factors.
Having found out the relative importance of different factors in driving teenagers to engage in premarital sexual behaviours, more suitable and effective methods for prevention can be come up with to avoid unnecessary tragedies like abortion and intergenerational poverty.

9. Bibliography
Books
Christine J. Gardner. (2011) Making chastity sexy : the rhetoric of evangelical abstinence campaigns. Berkeley : University of California Press
Cox, Melissa, R. (2008) Questions kids ask about sex : honest answers for every age. Taiwan:
Taipei: Cosmic Light
Hillerstorm, P. Roger (2004) The intimacy cover-up : uncovering the difference between love and sex. Grand Rapids : Kregel
McDowell, Josh (1990) The myths of sex education. San Bernardino, CA : Here 's Life Publishers,
Tengbom, Mildred (1989) Talking together about love & sexuality. Taiwan: Taipei: Glory Press
香港家庭計劃指導會(1998) 家庭通「性」香港 : 明窗
黃嘉儀 (2005) 第一次得一次 香港 : 突破出版社

Articles
1. The Youth Sexuality Study, Family Planning Association, 2006
2. 青少年性行為概況調查, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, 2008
3. Amber Madison, Talking Sex with Your Kids, 2010
4. Journal of Adolescent Health, January 2011
5. ‘Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong
Economic Times, 9th July, 2012
6. ‘A much-needed lifeline for pregnant teens’, South China Morning Post, 3rd December, 2012
7. Sex Photo Scandal－ Complicated Family Background, Edison Chan Got Perverted
8. Alexis Ware, A Teenager’s Thoughts: Pregnancy, Abortion, Sex and Peer Pressure, All Before
Age13!, Empowered Peace, September 27, 2010
9. Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong
Economic Times, 9th July, 2012
10. Brian A, Primack et al, ‘Exposure to Sexual Lyrics and Sexual Experience among Urban

Adolescents”, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 2009
11. National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, “Evaluating the Impact of
MTV’s 16 and Pregnant on Teen Viewers’ Attitudes About Teen Pregnancy,” Science Says,
October 2010
12. Miriam Grossman, “You’re Teaching My Child What? The Truth About Sex Education,”
Heritage Foundation, August 2010
13. ‘A much-needed lifeline for pregnant teens’, South China Morning Post, 3rd December, 2012
Audio
屈偉豪, 屈黎懿堅 (2008) 如何與子女談性 香港 : 卓越使團

10. Appendix
10.1 Questionnaire
Questionnaire on Factors Contributing to Teenage Premarital Sexual Behaviours among Hong Kong Teenagers and Ways to Promote Sexual Abstinence
I am a F.5 student at Jockey Club Ti-I College. Being a liberal studies student who is concerned of the prevalence of premarital sex, I am conducting an IES to find out what contribute to the issue and what we can do to lessen its severity. *The answer you give will be kept anonymous and confidential. The data collected is for academic purpose only and will be disposed as soon as the study is done. Please tick the appropriate boxes.
To make it clear, sexual behaviours include masturbation for the opposite sex, oral sex and sexual intercourse.
Personal Information
Gender:

 Male Female

Age Group: 12-14 15-17 18-20
1.

Do you accept premarital sexual behaviours?
Yes No (If yes, please go to Q2. If no, please go to Q. 5)

2.

What are overriding reasons for your acceptance or engagement in premarital sexual behaviours?
Please rank 1-5. (1 = most important, 5 = least important)
 It is fun!
Movies portrait them!
It is a culture.
It is trendy.
My friends do it.
I get care and love from the experience.
Sex gives me love which I cannot obtain from my family.
This enhances the intimacy between my lover and I.
My parents set the examples.
It is okay if I use a condom.
Others: ______________________________

3.

Have you ever had any sexual experiences?
Yes (Please go to Q4) No (Please go to Q5)

4.

Why did you engage in premarital sexual behaviours? (You may choose at most 5 answers. Please go to
Q7)
It was valentine’s day!/ It was Christmas eve!/ It was dooms day 2012!
My lover wanted it.
I loved him so much!
If we loved one another, why wait?
I wanted somebody to love me.
My parents did not care about me so I did whatever I want.
Having sex made me have more friends of opposite sex.
I felt proud of it.
It felt good.
I thought it was going to be fun.
I just could not control myself.
It is legal after 16!
Having premarital sexual behaviour does not harm anybody.

5.

How far do you agree with the following? Please tick your answers.
I don’t engage in premarital sexual behaviours because:
a.

I’m afraid of getting sexually transmitted diseases.
Totally Agree
Agree
Disagree
Totally Disagree

b.

It can be a criminal offence.
Totally Agree
Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

I value chastity.
Totally Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Agree

I am afraid getting pregnant or getting my partner pregnant.
Totally Agree
Agree
Disagree
Totally Disagree
Due to my religious background.
Totally Agree
Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

I don’t want others go find out that I have had premarital sexual behaviours.
Totally Agree
Agree
Disagree
Totally Disagree
My parents will kill me.
Totally Agree
Agree

Disagree

I have not found the love of my life.
Totally Agree
Agree
Disagree

Totally Disagree
Totally Disagree

6. What made you say no to premarital sexual behaviours?
My religious belief
I want to preserve my chastity for my wife/husband.
I respect my boyfriend/girlfriend’s will
Risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases
If we love one another enough, we can always wait.
I know sex does not equal love.
Others (please specify) ________________________________
7.

Rank the following according to their effectiveness in avoiding premarital sexual behaviours.

(1 = the most effective, 4 = the least effective)
 Avoid staying alone with girl/boy friends
 Have firm stance to refuse
 Have a thorough discussion with my girl/boy friend
Learning about moral and ethics about sex and marriage
8.

Do you think that sex education is effective in preventing premarital sexual behaviour? Why?

Yes. Reason: _________________________________________________________________
No. Reason: _________________________________________________________________
9.
a.

I can be discouraged from having premarital sexual behaviours if:
I receive advices on sexual abstinence in moral education.
Totally Agree

b.

Totally Disagree

Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

I have smart and fun friends to hang out with, and get positive influence from them.
Totally Agree

g.

Disagree

I know that having premarital sexual behaviours may end up in court.
Totally Agree

f.

Agree

I am suggested ways other than sex to have fun.
Totally Agree

e.

Totally Disagree

I know having premarital sexual behaviours can bring intergenerational suffering.
Totally Agree

d.

Disagree

I understand premarital sexual behaviours result in unwanted pregnancies.
Totally Agree

c.

Agree

Agree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

Disagree

Totally Disagree

I must reap what I sow.
Totally Agree

Agree

This is the end of the questionnaire. Thank you for your cooperation! 

10.2 Interview Transcripts
Interview Transcript
Interviewee 1: A 15-year old Christian girl who do not accept or engage in premarital sexual behabiours
Venue: Yan Fook Church
Date: 8/4
Time: 13:00-13:30
1: Interviewee 1
M: Me
M:

Hi, may I ask you some questions concerning teenage premarital sexual behaviours in Hong
Kong?

1:

Sure.

M:

Alright. Do you accept premarital sexual behaviours?

1:

No.

M:

Why?

1:

I’m a Christian. The bible teaches us that we can only be naked without shame before our wives or husbands.

M:

How does this value affect you?

1:

Hmmm… Let me think. Well, I guess my social circle makes me bear this value in mind. I go to church. And I’m in a Christian school. People of these religions are supposed to refrain from premarital sexual behaviours.

M:

Do you practice sexual abstinence because your friends do so too?

1:

Maybe. I believe they all do not engage in premarital sexual behaviours. I don’t want them to find out that I engage in sexual behaviours. I am afraid they bill discriminate against me.

M:

So, peer pressure and religious belief make you practice sexual abstinence?

1:

There’s something more. Well, my parents are caring. I think why I don’t engage in premarital sexual bahaviours is not because of that I don’t have a boyfriend. It should be that I don’t need sex, or even a boyfriend. I gain much love and care from my family.

M:

So I guess that’s what account for your practice of sexual abstinence.

1:

Yep.

M:

I know you have some friends who are not Christians. Do they engage in premarital sexual behaviours? I:

I guess most of them do not.

M:

Why do you think so?

1:

You know it’s not that everyone in catholic schools is Christians or catholic. I think they are somehow influenced by us, the majority who are Christians or catholics.

M:

Do you mean you guys promote sexual abstinence to them using religious values?

I:

Yes. We always tell those people that sex is a gift from god to couples. Believe it or not, they know they should not be casual in sex.

M:

Do you know why they think they should not be casual in sex?

1:

This should be because we all had sex education lessons. Sex can cause unwanted pregnancies.
They don’t want to get pregnant at such a young age. Or get others pregnant and commit a crime.

M:

I guess that’s all for the interview. Thank you very much.

Interviewee 2: A 17-year-old boy who is from a broken family, dropped out since he was 13, and engages in premarital sexual behaviours since he was 14
Venue: A Park in Tsuen Wan
Date: 14/4/13
Time:8:00-8:24 pm
2:

Interviewee 2

M:

Me

M:

Hello. Thanks for coming to help me.

2:

Hi. What do you wanna know?

M:

As far as I know, you accept and engage in premarital sexual behaviours. Is it?

2:

Yes.

M:

Can you tell me why?

2.

Yes. As you know I’m from a broken family. My parents got divorced when I was 10.

M:

Then?

2:

I don’t believe in love. What is it to me? I can’t feel it from my family. They don’t love me and I don’t know how to love.

M:

Why do you think they don’t love you?

2:

Well I’m a baby by accident. My parents themselves have arguments. They only care about their own business. My father has an affair. And my mum is always out to drink.

M:

Do you mean they do not pay any attention to you?

2:

Yes. I got into a band 3 secondary school. And I hated studying. I knew some bad friends, and then I knew a crowd of girls, who are quite slutty. I felt bored so I had sex with them.

M:

Don’t you afraid of getting those girls pregnant or committing a crime?

2:

Come on there’s one thing called condom. I won’t be the lucky one. And I don’t tell people I had sex with a girl below 16, and she doesn’t tell the others, no one’s gonna know!

M:

Don’t you think the girls are afraid of getting pregnant?

2:

They love me and we get closer after having sex, why wait? Don’t you understand that sex is a romantic thing to do? Especially on days like Christmas eve and valentine’s day.

M:

It seems that having sex has become a part of your life. Hmmm.. Do you think it is possible for me to convince you not to engage in premarital sexual behaviours?

2:

No.

M:

What if only people aged 18 or above can buy condoms?

2:

Maybe.. But I can get a friend to help me.

M:

So if you don’t have a friend who is willing to help, you may stop having sex?

2:

Maybe I’ll just hug and kiss the girls, or masturbate.

M:

What if I tell you we should preserve our chastity for our future wives or husbands?

2:

Who cares?

M:

So you think there is no way I can change your value towards sex. What may make you refrain from sex maybe some government policies?

2:

Yes.

M:

I guess that’s the end for the interview. Thanks a lot for helping.

2:

You’re welcome. I’m having dessert with my friends. Do you wanna join us?

M:

No I’m going home. Thanks. Byebye.

Interviewee 3: A teacher who has a 18-year-old son
Venue: Starbucks Coffee
Date: 11/4/13
Time: 11:00-11:30
3:

Interviewee 3

M:

Me

M:

Thank you for putting down your busy school work to entertain me.

3:

You’re welcome. I’m willing to help.

M:

What banding is the school you are teaching at?

3:

A band 2 school.

M:

So there are some good students, and some bad students?

3:

Right.

M:

Do you think some students at your school engage in premarital sexual behaviours?

3:

I think so.

M:

Why do you think so?

3:

Hmmm… I think it’s because some of them have lost interest in study. Some don’t even participate in any extra-curricular activities. They don’t have a focus so they fool around.

M:

Then why do you think some students are practicing sexual abstinence?

3:

I guess because they have an objective of life. They have care and love from teachers and parents.

M:

Do you mean they have a target, and they won’t mess around, and they just want to achieve the target? 3:

Exactly.

M:

Then what do you think teachers or the school can help promote sexual abstinence?

3:

I think teachers should assist students in finding their targets. With a clear goal, they may have a clear mind, and will be less vulnerable to sexual desire. I think the school should encourage students participate in extra-curricular activities. Then they can have a sense of belonging and gain care from their friends or teammates.

M:

Does your school conduct any sex education programme?

3:

Sure. Some outside organizations like Mother’s Choice come to give lectures like twice or once a year. M:

Do you think it helps promote sexual abstinence?

3:

Yes to some extent. They show students the sex organs infected by sexually transmitted disease.
This may scare students. But at the same time they show how to prevent pregnancies and how to stop pregnancies. This may make students think that having sex will not cause bad consequences.

M:

I forgot to ask you something. How do you promote sexual abstinence to your son?

3:

When he was small, he has some questions about sex. At that time, my husband and I did not avoid any of the questions. We answer the questions clearly and correctly. And as he gets old, we just love him and care about him. We show him there is love within the family.

M:

What do you think parents should do if they discover that they children engage in premarital sexual behaviours?

3:

Parents should stay calm, and they should not punish their children. They should talk to their children about why they engage in such behaviours. They should try to understand their children.
And slowly share about the importance of chastity to their children.

M:

I guess that’s all for today. Thanks a lot!

3:

You’re welcome. Hope I can help.

Bibliography: and sex. Grand Rapids : Kregel McDowell, Josh (1990) The myths of sex education Tengbom, Mildred (1989) Talking together about love & sexuality. Taiwan: Taipei: Glory Press 香港家庭計劃指導會(1998) 家庭通「性」香港 : 明窗 黃嘉儀 (2005) 第一次得一次 香港 : 突破出版社 Articles 1. The Youth Sexuality Study, Family Planning Association, 2006 2 3. Amber Madison, Talking Sex with Your Kids, 2010 4 5. ‘Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong Economic Times, 9th July, 2012 6. ‘A much-needed lifeline for pregnant teens’, South China Morning Post, 3rd December, 2012 7 8. Alexis Ware, A Teenager’s Thoughts: Pregnancy, Abortion, Sex and Peer Pressure, All Before Age13!, Empowered Peace, September 27, 2010 9. Post-90s Accept “Sex before Friendship” in order to get along with friends’, Hong Kong Economic Times, 9th July, 2012 Audio 屈偉豪, 屈黎懿堅 (2008) 如何與子女談性 香港 : 卓越使團