1. 2003 Set 11 – Marriage & Relationship “Marriage ad relationships”. 2003 Set 11 – Marriage & Relationship “Marriage ad relationships”. You and your classmates have been asked to prepare a class presentation on the topic of “Marriage and relationship.” You should discuss some of the reasons why people choose not to marry these days and what impact this will have on society in the future. You might also like to give your opinions on what makes a good and lasting marriage or relationship.

2. Reasons why people do not marry Busy working-> no time to find a partner Busy working-> no time to find a partner Not meeting the right person Not meeting the right person More people enjoy single life More people enjoy single life High divorce rate-> no confidence and sense of security High divorce rate-> no confidence and sense of security Affected by divorced parents Affected by divorced parents Highly-educated women are earning more money in their careers -> difficult to find a partner Highly-educated women are earning more money in their careers -> difficult to find a partner

3. Do not want to take responsibility Do not want to take responsibility Prefer living together Prefer living together Women have become more demanding and choosy Women have become more demanding and choosy Men going to China to find a wife Men going to China to find a wife

4. Impact on society in the future Ageing problems -> large population of single elderly women Ageing problems -> large population of single elderly women Decrease of workforce Decrease of workforce Burden on social welfare (e.g. health) Burden on social welfare (e.g. health) Excess supply of schools -> unemployment of teachers Excess supply of schools -> unemployment of teachers Generation gap with daughter/son Generation gap with daughter/son Government subsidy (esp. medical) increases Government subsidy (esp. medical) increases Less relatives because of zero percent birth rate Less relatives because of zero percent birth rate

5. What makes a good and lasting marriage and relationship Concern about the other’s feelings Concern about the other’s feelings Share happiness and sadness Share happiness and sadness Be honest Be honest Mutual trust and understanding Mutual trust and understanding Support, love and care Support, love and care

6. Giving privacy to each other Giving privacy to each other Trying to solve problems immediately Trying to solve problems immediately Sharing housework Sharing housework Independent finance Independent finance Mutual respect: everyone has strengths and weaknesses Mutual respect: everyone has strengths and weaknesses

7. In your learner diary, write in about 150 words on the following topic: In your learner diary, write in about 150 words on the following topic: Because people have less trust in marriage nowadays, they think it is old-fashioned and doesn’t have a place in society. Do you agree with this opinion? Why / Why not? Because people have less trust in marriage nowadays, they think it is old-fashioned and doesn’t have a place in society. Do you agree with this opinion? Why / Why not?

8. Ideas concluded from 6S (26-1-07) why people do not choose to marry these days Ideas concluded from 6S (26-1-07) why people do not choose to marry these days ► They don’t have enough trust in the other half. ► They want more freedom, and they don’t want to give up their privacy/personal freedom. ► They don’t want a steady relationship. ► Time is a problem especially for working women. ► Financial reasons: e.g. planning and organizing the wedding ceremony. ► More career-orientated nowadays; career is a priority. ► More females than males in Hong Kong, so they won’t be able to find a suitable partner.