Movie Blockbusters Glorify Irresponsible Sex and Drug Use

There is no lack of sexual activity portrayed in movies, and most of it is between unmarried people. Unsurprisingly, however, hardly a single film follows up these scenes by depicting its characters having to live with the real and likely negative consequences of their illicit sexual encounters.

A recent study conducted by the Institute for Child Health Research at Children’s Hospital Westmead, Australia, surveyed 200 top movies of all time based on box office profits. Of those, it eliminated movies that were animated, released before the emergence of aids (they chose 1983), and rated G or PG. Out of the 87 remaining films, 53 contained sex episodes. In those sex scenes, only one made a reference to any form of birth control.

Though 98 percent of the sexual escapades could have resulted in pregnancy, no movie showed any consequence of unprotected sex—not one. There were no unwanted pregnancies, no contractions of hiv or any other sexually transmitted disease.

The study also focused on how drugs were depicted in those movies. While illicit drugs were shown in fewer movies than had depicted sex, researchers found drugs were often shown in a positive light.

A clear example was found in movies that show marijuana use: 52 percent of these movies portrayed marijuana use in a positive light, while 48 percent showed it in a neutral light. As with unprotected sex, no negative consequences were ever shown.

Movies ignore reality by failing to show cause and effect. By consistently and frequently portraying unprotected sex and drug use in a positive light, movies promote these harmful practices in the minds of viewers.

There are negative consequences for the wrong use of sex. There are negative consequences for any use of illicit drugs.

But at the same time there are numerous benefits to living life the way God intended us to. More joy and happiness than can ever be portrayed on a movie screen is in store for those who live that way of life.

For information on the right and wrong use of sex, read Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The Missing Dimension in Sex. For an explanation on the dangers associated with illicit drugs, see our December 2000 article “The Drugging of America.”