What HS school kid hasn't had a crush on (or fantasies about) at least one of his teachers?? I know I did on both of the two young fresh-out-of-college teachers in my HS. Mrs. G was the Home Ec teacher and Ms. J the.... I forget what they used to call it... the office skills class; typing, filing, that sorta thing.

Now this was back in the day when males were not commonplace in Home Ec or Typing classes. Hell, not only were males not common in Home Ec, I don't even think it was *allowed* unless one had the deep seated need to get beaten up. But the Sr. Class had the privilege of first pick for Sr. Class Sponsors and since my graduating class consisted of 29 hormone laden males and five girls, we got Mrs. G and Ms. J for our class sponsors. Which meant they attended the Sr. Class Trip consisting of a weekend at Fin and Feather Lodge on Lake Tenkiller. I gotta tell you, they both looked great in a swimsuit!

Now while I suppose Ms. J was fair game, I know for a fact she discouraged at advances by at least two of my classmates. Mrs. G's husband was the shop teacher and I know that, while I had some interesting fantasies, nothing came to fruition because I - along with my male classmates - had no deep seated desire to come up missing a couple of fingers as a result of a table saw "accident" in the course of making that lovely cedar chest.

Ernie

Yep, BIGJ, we ARE all adults on here, and I can't say for sure, but my inkling is that I am an older adult than you, purely chronologically. I grew up in an era where adults were still quite the authority figure, not our FRIENDS. I admit I thought a few teachers were cute in my junior high and senior high years, but for heaven's sake, that was quite different than having a crush on a guy that was closer to my age. Now during college, that was a totally different matter, seeing as how some of my professors were pretty dang fine. If they were to show an interest in me, well that would be between two ADULTS. Teenagers still in school is another situation totally. Not saying that teachers of youth may not be attracted, as in this case, to a 17 year old, not out of the realm of possibility at all! Just saying that no matter what the circumstances, the teacher is THE ADULT, and should comport herself as such. Wait until the kid is out of school, for chrissakes! It wouldn't have been that long, and then there would be no teacher/high school student conflict of interest. That's all I'm saying.

Males and females are wired different, especially youth. This relationship will not scar this young male. He was not a sex abuse victim. If anything the publicity and the consequences for his paramour may effect him. It certainly hurt her, a person he has feeling toward. This really borders on the criminal – but she was a teacher and knew better.

Many older fellows desired a young teacher at his age.

Let’s be honest men.

Oh.. ..well I see it like this.. Thee who lives by the sword..dies by the sword ..oh well.. and I know he is 17 and is old enough...but, you know what... you send them to learn... not only to educate themselves but, to learn morals and dignity and become an outstanding citizen in the community.... things can get very complicated... in there with a student/ teacher relationship..not good .. I used to worked where they constantly preached to us about that...I have seen teachers get their walking papers for it..not fun.. that stuff follows you around from district to district..but .. they will learn one day..wow a 50,000.00 degree down the tubes for a good time.. I guess she wasnt thinking about that .at the moment huh??

Oh Huckleberry....you are so wrong.....there is more grey then true black and white.

Amen!!! Litte Blue Book..Right is Right -and- ..Wrong is Wronggggggggggg...There is no Grey Area.. and she should of had sense to say No Thank you ... or..if it was her  that did the seducing then she should of known what comes next.. (what comes first ....what comes next ... what comes last ... you learn it first grade)

Okay Ernie....I apologize for the "Male Dominated Jungle" comment since I love ya!

Nah...that was really unfair. I was actually applying it to the hospital situation I mentioned.....where the docs are king and no one dares challenge, however, it didn't come across that way.

In fact when we are talking high school some girls these days can be very forward and seductive to the male teachers...and just as much a part of the situation as any male.

The teacher knew the rules and should have followed them. However, no matter what the law says 22 can be just as stupid as 17 depending on the person. It's not like on your 18th birthday you wake up and are suddenly mature with good sense and the will to resist all temptation. It would be nice if it were so.

We live in a society of "victims". I still state that one chooses to be a victim; something my Father taught me....a Father who experienced abuse as a child that you could do an Oprah Show on. Our society actually encourages people to assume the role of victim.....and it is a choice.

Now please I am not talking about the 10 year old boy molested by his Scout Master.....but the 17 year old who seduces their teacher....there is a really big difference.

I'd said my piece on this and was content just to saunter along with the comments.... that was until that "male dominated jungle" remark.

Harumph!

That having been harumphed though, I have to agree in large part with STX I'm afraid. This young man is probably basking in the warmth of his friends' respect. It's a sad shame that the woman's career is ruined but unfortunately, due to her indiscretion and lack of good sense, she has that coming.

What's an injustice is that the young man in this situation will have few, if any, negative consequences from the incident and that's a pity for several reasons. First, and IMO, foremost is the negative influence it will have on the attitude of other students. Teachers have a difficult enough time these days keeping some semblance of order and maintaining an classroom that can only barely be termed "a learning environment." The result of this incident in which a teacher lost her job, her career and most of her credibility will teach many students that they "have the power." Not to worry if Teach gets miffed or doesn't give a student a passing grade because Little Johnny only has to run to the local PD or CPS and whine about an "improper relationship" and Teach is down the road kicking rocks.

Again, the teacher has a problem of her own making. *She* is (allegedly) the adult and the boy was her student. His age is moot in this case, at least in a legal sense. It's the student/teacher relationship that was wrong, not the adult/minor one. This is just an extension of the policy most companies have of not hiring relatives to work in the same plant or department.

I see evidence way too often though, when simple facts of life are ignored in favor of the current politically correct attitude. That's where I take exception to the "male dominated jungle" comment....

Ernie

Little Blue Book.....give me a break. This kid was not the victim if anything the teacher was. My bet is that the young man worked unduly hard to get close to this teacher....he was of course thinking with the wrong head...but why not. What consequences does he have to face....NONE!!!

All his buds are patting him on the back for his conquest and the law isn't gonna touch him cause he is a few days short of 18. I would be willing to bet his male family members are feeling all proud. That's my boy!!!!

The teacher should have known better....it is a part of her job contract. But there is nothing criminal about this and this kid is so far from being a victim that it is disgusting.

However, I have worked around hospitals most of my life and know that whenever one of the docs seduce a nurse, an aide, a girl from the kitchen and gets caught in the act.....often right on hospital property, closets, med rooms, restrooms, etc. Yes such things happen and not only on Grey's Anatomy. The girl is the one that gets fired and the doc is not even talked to. It is the law of the male dominated jungle I suppose.

we are part of the animal world. our laws make us more advanced w/ consequences but mother nature will always stimulate hormones and our instinct animal characteristics arise.

imo- she had a rule that a teacher w/ student is a no-no. otherwise I see his age and hers and the difference and to me that is no harm.

at inservice let the teachers know that this act is a teaching "death penalty", etc. problem solved on policy training.

Tough call. She should have waited a few days/weeks/months (I don't know how long they've been having sexual relations) until he turned 18. Then it would've been alright. I guess?.

I understand teachers tend to get close to students, but how will parents know when its become too close? Did the boys parents not see any signs of a relationship going on between the two? I believe a teacher-student relationship should stay just that; exchanging phone numbers, spending time with one another outside of school should not be allowed. There are people out there that know of things like this that are going on the their children with a teacher, or worse, a school administration knowing that a teacher is becoming too close to a student. If we are going to complain about a situation like this, we also need to become responsible and make sure it doesn't happen again.

Mary Ann, I think you are dead-on when you say that this is about a lack of judgment. I know that my ethics class in college long ago convinced me that people in a higher position, be it in the business world, financially, schools, etc. are held to a higher standard, and rightfully so. We place our trust in those who would teach us, protect us, and serve us through our government, schools, and law enforcement, among other professions. This trust must be placed without reservation, and must not be abused. I know that when I was in school, I may have had a crush on a teacher or two, as young schoolgirls often do. However, that was all in fun, and if a teacher ever approached me to act on my crush, I would have been mortified. Fantasies should be left as just that; particularly when those fantasies involve adults in a position of responsibility and younger, vulnerable, impressionable teenagers.
Good call, Mary Ann, and thanks for reminding us what this issue is really all about.
 

This is going on all over the country more and more often.

Yes, ST, it's always happened, but just because some cute (or not so cute) blonde teacher seduces or takes her student up on his advances doesn't mean they should be let off the hook. Times have changed. You know that.

As a public school teacher, I know that there is often a small age difference between student and teacher. Is there some gray area? Yes, but very little, especially in THIS day and age. I don't think this lady should have gotten jail time, but she sure doesn't need to be teaching in public schools.

I know that many of these students are close to being 18, but we're still talking about authority figures who should exercise better judgement.

The AP reported on this at the beginning of the year and made these highlighted points:
Story Highlights
AP: Educators were punished in 2,500 sex cases from bizarre to sadistic

Accused are overwhelmingly male, often popular, recognized for excellence

Quiet punishments allow many violators move on to other schools

One in 10 victimized children reports sexual abuse, say academic studies.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/21/teac...

Here in our public school we had a teacher abusing junior-high aged boys as he was taking them out on "fishing trips" with a particular organization. Thank God that one child was brave enough to stop his advances late at night, and this guy did not continue OR he was not moved on to another school.

You know what......at the risk of sounding like some kind of advocate for sexual perverts....I have to say this.

This sort of thing has been going on forever. It is just in recent years that it has been turned into a criminal act with reportedly "horrible" and extensive effects on the young people involved.

I'm old and when I was in High School it was common for someone in high school to be secretly dating a teacher. Most of the time it was a high school girl dating a 22 year old teacher right out of college.....I even know two couples that started out this way and married and are still married, after 40+ years. I do remember a couple of times when some of the Junior or Senior boys would go after a younger female teacher and she would succumb to temptation. Was anyone permanently damaged or emotionally destroyed by this? No way! This was a consensual relationship and there was no sexual assault or sexual abuse involved.

Now....please let me make it perfectly clear. Child molesters are the scum of the earth and they should be locked away and the key destroyed. However in most of the cases, like this one....we are not talking child molesters. We are talking consensual sex....maybe not appropriate, maybe not smart....but you can bet it is something this young man bragged to his friends about. Hopefully he will feel bad at some point in time for having a part in ruining this poor woman's career.

We are living in a time when 13 and 14 year olds are having "Lipstick Parties" and group sex with each other. Now that is something that should be stopped.

My Grandmother was married with a child when she was 15. Sorry....I just can't see this is criminal in any way and certainly not as an act that is going to permanently emotionally damage the young person involved. The parents of this young man need to check out his other activities....they might be surprised. However, this relationship will probably end up as a civil suit...money will change hands and the young man will still walk away free but just as guilty as the young woman involved.

This is happening all over the country. Go to www.schoolteachernews.com and click on the Scandal page. They have documented over 280 of these types of incidents since just the beginning of 2008.