MARRIAGE PLANS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 16

MARRIAGE PLANS

Student Poll In Lebanon

CN.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) BEIRUT.

Thirty-five per cent of Lebanon’s young women say that it is “ridiculous” for a man to help his wife in household work. This was one result of a poll conducted among Lebanese high school and university students by the French-language newspaper “L’Orient.” The survey showed that 40 per cent of the girls believe it is natural for a man to help his wife in the household chores. Twenty-five per cent say . that it is “acceptable in certain cases.”

The girls were also asked whether they would have “preferred to be a boy.” Sixty-five per cent of the girls stood by their sex, replying “no.” But 33 per cent cent admitted it was hard for them, and two per cent replied hesitatingly “sometimes.”

Several descriptions were given by the girls to the “young men of your generation.” The replies, with the percentage of answers, were: uninteresting 32, interesting 15, not serious 15, arrogant 13, unstable 10, hypocritical 8, no replies 7.. Marriage seems to have been the subject on which the majority of the girls agreed. Eighty-six per cent said “yes” when asked whether “you intend to get married.” Eight per cent said “ho” and six per cent replied “maybe?’ The average age at which the girls planned to get married was 20.

The next question was: “Would you consider your life Wasted if you did hot marry?” Sixty per cent of the girls replied “yes.” Ten per cent disagreed, and the remaining 30 per cent replied cautiously, “that depends.” A variety of answers was given to the question “what is the main reason for a girl getting married?” The girls offered the following reasons: To have a home, 30; to be provided for, 28; to be emancipated, 12; because they all get married, 12; for love, 10; God preached it, 5; to fulfil her aims in life, 3. “Do you admit divorce?” the girls were asked. They replied: yes, 40; no, 35; it depends, 25.

Fifty per cent of the girls admitted they would marry against the .wish of their parents. But 45 per cent said “no” and five per cent replied, “it depends.” The main threat to married life was considered by 50 per cent of the girls to be lack of understanding. Other replies were: lack of love, 20; disloyalty, 15; deception, 10; absence of children, 4; difference of education, 1.