Sexual health among the young has deteriorated seriously in the last 12 years,
and media coverage of celebrities' hard-partying lifestyles may make the
problem worse, the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV said.
The study is the latest indictment of childhood in Britain. In February, UNICEF
placed it bottom of league table of wealthy countries for child well being and
found that more under 15s had had sex than in any other country.
Britain is notorious for its binge-drinking culture. "Young people, from their
early teens, are defining a lifestyle that involves alcohol, drugs and sex,"
said the group's chair, Baroness Joyce Gould.
"We need to address why our young people have turned to these behaviours -
behaviours which put them at risk."
The report found that Britain had the highest rate of sexual transmitted
diseases (STDs) and teenage pregnancy in Europe.
There has been a "disturbing" increase in STDs - over the last 12 years,
chlamydia and HIV are up 300 per cent and syphilis 2,000 per cent.
The study found a "strong correlation" between sexually transmitted infections,
sex and drug use and added that alcohol "can increase the risk of having
unprotected sex."
It also highlighted the impact which advertising and celebrities can have from
a young age, citing the "publicity and coverage of sex, drugs and excessive
drinking by 'celebrities' and 'pop idols' and by characters in 'soaps,' making
it an acceptable lifestyle."
