Sessional_Paper_1931 — Page 136

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Table 22.

CHINESE RACE-CONJUGAL CONDITION.

Hong Kong and Kowloon.

New Territories.

Afloat.

Totals,

Grand Totals

Males

Females

Males

Females

Males

Females

Males

Females

Single

Morried

187,904

116,760

49.26% = 42·72%

189,5021

131,3692

=

49-68% 48.07%

=

Widowed

2,082

=

-55%

Divorced

Unknown

·00% 1,936 .51%

25,070

9.18%

1

=

·00% 89 -03%

Totals

381,426 = 100.00%

273,289 =100-00%

645,715

-

25,909 52-76%

21,800° 44.39% 1,402

=

=

2-85% 16.35%

=

17,749

21,699

13,829

36.47%

58.08%

49.29%

22,9634

18,760%

12,961*

47.18%

45-89%

7,958

421

1.08%

=

46.21% 1,263 4.50%

=

235,512 49.96% 230,062 48-80% 3,905

=

148,338 42.38%

167,2939

=

383,850 46.73%

397,3559

-83%

=

·00%

=

1,936 .41%

47.80%

34,291.

9-80%

·00% 89

=

=

48.37%

38,196

4.65%

·00%

2,025

=

-02%

-25%

=

49,111 = 100.00%

48,670 =100-00%

40,880 =100·00% =100.00%

28,053

97,781

68,933

1 Includes 546 infant marriages under 16 years of age.

2 Includes 654 infant marringes.

8 Includes

235 infant marriages.

• Includes 405 infant marriages.

5 Includes

• Includes

7 Includes

77 infant marriages.

158 infant marriages.

858 infant marriages.

• Includes 1,217 infant marriages. Includes 2,075 infant marriages.

The first outstanding feature as regards persons of Chinese race is the number of infant marriages. The custom is almost entirely confined to the Hakkas, and is really to be associated with poverty. The number of male infants married is less than that of female, probably due to emigration of the male. The female child goes to live for a consideration paid to the parents and in order to save the cost of her upbringing in the house of her future husband; she is brought up as a daughter and helps in the household; and at some time between the ages of 16 and 18 a second ceremony is performed and consummation of the marriage may take place. In proportion to the numbers involved there are more infant marriages in the New Territories than elsewhere.

The second feature which attracts one's notice is the large number of widows compared with the number of widowers. The male, if young, may marry again, and the proportion in later life is further affected by the greater mortality in males of adult age. It is probable also that the widowed mother has greater incentive to re- main in Hong Kong where her children may be, than to return to the ancestral home in China which may have a greater attraction for the widower.

=

471,417 350,012 100.00% 100.00%

821,429

821,429 =100.00%