World News and Trends: "Safe sex" fading in Britain
New research and statistics indicate that Britain's young people are increasingly ignoring warnings about the dangers of AIDS and other sexually transmissible diseases and are reverting to promiscuous sexual behavior-with predictable results.
A survey of sexual behavior of 500 young men and women 16 to 24 showed that three in four of those not married were having regular sex (defined as at least five times a month) compared with only one in four in 1991. Of these, far fewer were actively concerned about the risk of contracting AIDS or other diseases. In addition, more than four in 10 reported having four or more sexual partners by age 24.
Predictably, the rate of gonorrhea infection among British teenagers has grown by almost 30 percent just since 1995.
A similar survey showed that 12 percent of British young people mistakenly believe that a cure for AIDS is available-thus this misinformation might be contributing to the lack of awareness of the dangers of promiscuity.
Dr. Nick Ford, University of Exeter researcher who carried out the first study, observed that many young people "are having a series of sexual partners." Changing attitudes and lifestyles "have implications not only for the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases but also marriage, family formation and childbearing."
He attributed much of the change in behavior to a major shift in the thinking of young women. "The 'romantic' attitude of women towards relationships has been eroded. They are now much more at ease with casual relationships."
These findings bring to mind the apostle Paul's prediction: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men [and women] will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, . . . without self-control,... headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (Sources: The Sunday Times [London], 2 Timothy 3:1-4.)
An Article from:
Good News Magazine: May - June 1998
Course Content
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
