A recent survey finds local young people in Hong Kong have become more conservative in their attitude on sex - with an increasing number of them disapproving of divorce, abortion, pre-marital sex and multiple sex partners.

The survey, which interviewed more than 1,000 respondents between the ages of 15 and 39, was conducted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.

"Compared to similar surveys in the past, the concept of maintaining a marriage, family values and long-term relationships has been consolidated among local youths," said a spokesman.

"Young people are becoming less disposed to deviant sexual behaviour at the same time," he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

Findings of the study show that 48 per cent of the polled disapprove of divorce, which has nearly doubled since 1998.

More than 45 per cent said they were against abortions and pre-marital sex, representing an increase of over 10 per cent compared to the results of the same survey in 1998.

But the number of people who want to have children has decreased. Only 82 per cent said they wish to become parents, compared with 87 per cent five years ago.

As for their political attitudes, 73 per cent think that politicians are more concerned about their own interests than the overall benefit of society, a significant rise from 56 per cent in 2002.

But they believe that they could change social policy by voting or voicing their demands, increasing from 61 per cent two years ago to 78 per cent this year.

The study also found that respondents are taking greater pride in their identities as Chinese - 79 per cent said they are proud of being Chinese against 70 per cent in 2001.

However, some 30 per cent said they want to immigrate overseas.

Source: China Daily HK Edition