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SCMP Reporter

Alarming findings of a study on youth sexuality have prompted the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong to make several recommendations to parents and teachers.

   The report on the 'Youth Sexuality Study 1996', a survey which is conducted every five years, revealed the incidence of physical intimacy among youths had increased considerably despite a persistent lack of sexual knowledge.

  The study also revealed that many of those who had sexual intercourse used unreliable methods of contraception.

  Family Planning Association of Hong Kong executive director Susan Fan Yun-sun advised parents and teachers to play an active role in providing children in their care with adequate and accurate sexual information. This would encourage youth to adopt a responsible approach to relationships and minimise misconceptions about sex.

  'Sex education is no longer a taboo in Hong Kong,' Ms Fan said.

  'On the contrary, it's useful to youth because it is a comprehensive subject. The subject of interpersonal relationships covers everything from human behaviour to dating.'    The association also called on the Government to provide support in the form of extra resources and training for those responsible for sex education.

    Ms Fan also urged the media to make good use of their influence on youth by disseminating correct information and promoting healthy sexual attitudes. The association reminded parents of the importance of spending time with their children and leading by example in establishing happy and harmonious family relationships.

    A member of the Youth Sexuality Study 1996 Task Force, Dr Paul Yip Siu-fai, said that a happy family life had more of an effect than physical appearance or academic results in determining the life satisfaction level of youths.

   The chairman of the Youth Sexuality Study Task Force, Professor Lam Tai-hing, added that a healthy family depended more on spiritual rather than material support.

   The 1996 study comprised two parts: a school survey involving Form One to Seven students and a household survey of youths aged between 18 and 27.

  Of the 1,863 Form One and Two students who took part, 923 were boys and 940 were girls. The response rate was 65.3 per cent.

  Of the 4,116 Form Three to Seven students, 52.8 per cent were boys and 47.2 per cent were girls. The response rate was 68.1 per cent.



Youth remains in dark over sex