How the young in Hong Kong see the differences when they come of age? Will they become more independent and matured in personality?

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups interviewed 511 six-form students who were going to be eighteen or just passed eighteen in last month. The findings revealed that more than 45 per cent of the total respondents thought that the general public trusted them more when they became eighteen. This compared with 28 per cent perceived that they would gain more trust from their parents.

According to the survey, most of the young respondents believed that they would become more independent and have higher ability to make decisions. Around 55 per cent agreed that their maturity in personality and sense of responsibility would be strengthened.

In addition, the vast majority of the respondents considered that fulfilling the duties of one?/FONT>s role and being law-abiding were the most important social responsibilities that youth should take on when they were of age. Almost 60 per cent said they would register as a voter.

More than 45 per cent thought that having good academic results was very important to them at the age of eighteen while nearly 40 per cent said staying out late was also of great importance.

The survey, however, also found that more than 60 per cent of the respondents would try to watch pornographic movies when they became an adult. When asked what they wanted to do most at the age of majority, almost one in five said they would learn driving or apply for driving license. Some 60 youngsters said they wanted to see pornographic films.

The poll, which surveyed 511 students from 15 local secondary schools, was conducted from 7 to 11 April 1997.