This is a very good idea and can reduce divorce rates.

There are also people who cohabit but never get married. I prefer such a relationship because it involves more flexibility and less responsibility.

Nobody can guarantee that they will love their partner forever. Maybe one day, I will get so sick of my partner that I just have to move out.

I may change my mind if I meet my 'true love', but increasing divorce rates indicate that I should be more careful about marriage.

It's hard to tell whether it will be a success or not.

Fanny Lau Lok-fan

SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School

Be optimistic and learn to enjoy life

A recent survey has shown that most Hong Kong teenagers are not happy.

We should be active and optimistic in order to enjoy life.

When you are optimistic, it is easy to deal with difficulties.

For example, some students may be depressed if they fail a school exam. But an optimist would say: 'I am lucky because it's not a public exam and I promise to work harder.'

Life is short, and we should treasure our time. Life is not always happy, but we can be optimistic.

An optimistic attitude can help solve most of our problems.

Luk Wing-sze

Temper tantrum

I had to do four projects this year.

I was very anxious because I thought I wouldn't be able to finish them on time.

I asked my group members to work faster. Sometimes I even scolded them.

Later, I regretted my behaviour. I realised I was too hasty. I should have put myself in their shoes. Maybe they spent more time on the projects because they wanted to do a good job.

My apology was accepted by my group members.

If I face a similar situation in the future, I will take a deep breath before taking any drastic action.

It is important that I should not lose my temper.

Jennifer Wong

Pooi To Middle School

Failure no big deal

My school organised an English Day recently. I represented Benevolence House in the English quiz but we lost.

I was very upset because I thought it was my fault. But a friend told me that winning or losing wasn't the most important thing. If I had done my best, it was enough, my friend said.

When you fall down, you should stand up again. Face up to your problems bravely and you will succeed.

Joyce Lin

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Value of friends

Friends are an important part of our lives. But I have only a few 'real' friends.

Some relationships will continue despite arguments. Usually close friends have similar ideas and rarely have disagreements.

Friends need to learn to put up with bad habits and accept different opinions.

When something good happens to us, sharing the happiness with our friends increases our joy.

In times of trouble, friends can offer good suggestions to solve our problems.

Friends can make a difference. Having close friends will make us stronger and help us to have a positive outlook on life.

Best friends share their secrets and are honest with each other. They won't let a minor dispute break up a great friendship.

The world is changing. Some friendships last forever, while others do not.

Friendship is an essential part in creating a healthy and meaningful life.

Rachel Ma

Act of discrimination

I do not agree with the decision by an international school to fire a teacher because he is a homosexual.

I am a Christian and I am not ashamed to say that many of my friends are gay.

Everyone has a right to believe what they want to and they should not be told how to live.

For example, if a non-religious person does not believe in God, nobody should try to force him to change his views.

If a student at a Christian or non-Christian school were a homosexual, would they be expelled? No, because that would be discrimination.

So why should teachers be any different?

A Student

Quit smoking now

The government has banned smoking in public places from the beginning of this year.

According to scientists, our lives will be shortened by five minutes for every cigarette we smoke.

Smoking also causes a lot of health problems, including lung cancer and heart disease.

Under the anti-smoking legislation, offenders are liable to a HK$5,000 fine.

For the sake of their health and to save money, smokers should give up their bad habit.

They should accept the smoking cessation service provided by the Health Department.

There are many advertisements that promote the anti-smoking message.

The government is trying hard to educate the public about the harmful effects of smoking.

Smoking is hazardous to both smokers and non-smokers. It is a waste of money and is also prohibited by law.

This is a good time to stop smoking.

Ivan So Chak-ho

CCC Hoh Fuk Tong College

Cultural treasure

I am writing to express my views about the declining interest in Chinese culture.

Western musical instruments are popular with teenagers who tend to neglect their roots.

There is a similar trend among adults, too. For example, the practice of tea drinking is fading out.

Instead, Hongkongers opt for coffee or soft drinks.

Worse still, students think Chinese history is boring and has no educational value.

I suggest that we should take action to curb this alarming trend.

Chinese culture can help us to know more about our nation.

Besides, we can learn from the past and avoid making the same mistakes again.

We should cherish our culture.

Amy Lau Yuk-Ching

Leung Shek Chee College

Piercing dangers

It is sad to hear that people have been infected with hepatitis B from body piercings and even acupuncture. Piercing has become more popular, especially among young people.

Inadequate regulations governing the piercing industry have contributed to an increasing number of people suffering from serious infections, including HIV/aids.

The government may not be able to stop young people from getting body piercings, but it can at least set up hygiene standards for the industry.

Authorities should introduce a registration system for practitioners in order to protect the public's health.

Iris Yu

Maryknoll Fathers' School