Youngsters are more devoted in relationships than generally thought, according to a new study.

However, many said they didn't realize that blind tolerance of their partner can be bad for them.

The Youth Research Network of the religious group Breakthrough conducted an online survey of 516 people aged 10 to 24 who had dating experience between September 2007 and January 2008.

Approximately 88 percent of the respondents expressed their willingness to be devote in the relationship, such as accepting their partners' shortcomings and showing care without asking for any in return.

"This shows that most teenagers are serious in their romantic relationships and are not as flippant as commonly thought," said Chan King-chuen, manager of ministry research and development for Breakthrough.

However, blind devotion can also hurt a relationship, according to the survey.

Approximately 35 percent of the respondents reported having been made fun of or insulted by their partners.

And about 8 percent reported being physically abused.

"Blindly tolerating lovers will only twist the romantic relationship, because one shouldn't suppress his or her feelings to lovers," Chan said, adding that it is important to clearly express one's own feeling and respect each other in order to maintain a healthy intimate relationship.

Academics also agreed with the importance of establishing a reciprocal relationship.

"It's hard to learn to maintain a true romantic relationship. ... Lovers need to have commitment, as well as healthy communication and sharing," said Steven Ngai Sek-yum, associate professor in the Department of Social Work at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

He added that lovers shouldn't tolerate any misbehavior from their partners, and should frankly express their feelings.

He asked parents, mentors and teachers to help teenagers develop a healthy attitude toward relationships early on.

(HK Edition 09/24/2008 page1)