Should 'shotgun marriages' be judged by traditional ethics?

With the end of the year fast approaching, many young people are tying the knot. However, some keen observers have noted from those happy and boisterous weddings that "shotgun marriages" are quite common among the newlyweds.

However, more surprising are the views of cultural experts and officials on the phenomenon. Mr Li, a specialist on Chinese traditions, believes "shotgun marriages" are posing a threat to the Chinese traditional value of virginity.

A civil affairs official wonders why those pregnant brides don't feel embarrassed. And there is also a Mr Chen who believes "shotgun marriages" represent an open challenge from people born after 1980, to a fundamental principle of traditional Chinese ethics.