Survey shatters myths of youth

Late-night youth culture has been shown to be far tamer than its celluloid image, with youngsters keener to roller-skate than fraternise with triad gangs.

A survey of young people in Kowloon after midnight shattered the sex-and-violence myth portrayed in popular films such as the Young and Dangerous series.

In reality, only about one in 10 young people admitted having sex, carrying out acts of vandalism or taking drugs during a night out.

Over half of those questioned did not drink alcohol.

Survey supervisor Philip Chan Shiu-kan, of Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service, said he was not surprised by the findings.

'People label late-night drifters as bad and presume they are involved in prostitution, drug abuse or fighting,' he said.

'But in fact most are very normal and involved in healthy activities such as roller-skating or bicycle riding with their friends.' The survey, carried out between May and August this year in Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei, found that although more than half of those questioned went out past midnight at least once a week, their main pastimes were chatting or eating with friends.