Aren't Teachers Supposed To Be Trustworthy?
Most complaints about teachers' behavior tend to center around what is felt to be inappropriate talk in a class or discussion, such as using sexist or sexual references to make a point. However, some teachers can take things to a more extreme degree. Relationships between students and teachers can be often quite intimate and intense as they share common passions and interests. Students are dependent on their teachers' approval for academic success, opportunities, and later career success. They will talk about personal issues, such as problems at home, or with boyfriends/girlfriends. Such closeness and intimacy can blur the professional boundaries and lead people--both school employee and student alike--to step over the line. Martin writes,
"...teachers hold positions of trust. They are expected to design teaching programs and carry out their teaching duties to help their students develop as mature thinkers. This may involve close working relationships in tutorials or laboratories, individual meetings to discuss projects or essays, and more casual occasions for intellectual give and take. For impressionable young students, the boundaries between intellectual development and personal life may become blurred. In this situation, some academics easily move from intellectual to personal to sexual relationships."
A teacher who harasses a student may be doing so because they are experiencing the stress from various personal problems or life traumas, such as marital trouble or divorce, professional crisis, financial difficulties, medical problems, or death of a spouse or child. The behavior can be a symptom of the effects of such stresses, and may stop if the situation changes, or the pressures are removed.
(Quoted from: http://www.k12academics.com/education-issues/sexual-harassment/sexual-harassment-abuse-students-teachers/teachers-who-sexually-h)
"...teachers hold positions of trust. They are expected to design teaching programs and carry out their teaching duties to help their students develop as mature thinkers. This may involve close working relationships in tutorials or laboratories, individual meetings to discuss projects or essays, and more casual occasions for intellectual give and take. For impressionable young students, the boundaries between intellectual development and personal life may become blurred. In this situation, some academics easily move from intellectual to personal to sexual relationships."
A teacher who harasses a student may be doing so because they are experiencing the stress from various personal problems or life traumas, such as marital trouble or divorce, professional crisis, financial difficulties, medical problems, or death of a spouse or child. The behavior can be a symptom of the effects of such stresses, and may stop if the situation changes, or the pressures are removed.
(Quoted from: http://www.k12academics.com/education-issues/sexual-harassment/sexual-harassment-abuse-students-teachers/teachers-who-sexually-h)
Teacher/Student Relationships: In the News
"My science Teacher said he wanted to talk." - Story of sexual harassment from a support blog.
My science teacher is 20 and I am 15. He told me to stay after class one day. I asked him “What for?” and he said that he wanted to talk to me about something and to sit down. So I did.
We started talking about school stuff and then he changes the subject and starts talking about my personal life and asking me questions like “What size bra do you wear?”
I felt uncomfortable so I tried to change the subject.
Then he started feeling my thigh. He said, “You know, you are never to young to have sex.”
I got up and headed for the door when he grabs me and throws me against the wall. Then he forces himself on me. I tried my hardest to get him off but he was too strong. Then he unzips my jacket and unbuttons my shirt. I was able to grab a pen from the board, and I stabbed him with it and ran.
Then a few days later after cheerleading, I was in the locker room alone changing and he comes in there. I tried to get as far away from him as I could but I tripped over this gym bag and fell but still tried to get away.
He came up to me and said that “It’s okay.” Then he put his hand up my skirt. I tried to get up but he pinned me down and wouldn’t stop kissing me all over. Then he unbuttoned his pants.
I kicked him in the stomach and ran out to get help. But no one believed me because he is such a nice teacher. So I told my mom and she told the police but he didn’t get fired. Everyday I wonder what would of happened if I didn’t kick him. I sometimes cry when I think about it.
We started talking about school stuff and then he changes the subject and starts talking about my personal life and asking me questions like “What size bra do you wear?”
I felt uncomfortable so I tried to change the subject.
Then he started feeling my thigh. He said, “You know, you are never to young to have sex.”
I got up and headed for the door when he grabs me and throws me against the wall. Then he forces himself on me. I tried my hardest to get him off but he was too strong. Then he unzips my jacket and unbuttons my shirt. I was able to grab a pen from the board, and I stabbed him with it and ran.
Then a few days later after cheerleading, I was in the locker room alone changing and he comes in there. I tried to get as far away from him as I could but I tripped over this gym bag and fell but still tried to get away.
He came up to me and said that “It’s okay.” Then he put his hand up my skirt. I tried to get up but he pinned me down and wouldn’t stop kissing me all over. Then he unbuttoned his pants.
I kicked him in the stomach and ran out to get help. But no one believed me because he is such a nice teacher. So I told my mom and she told the police but he didn’t get fired. Everyday I wonder what would of happened if I didn’t kick him. I sometimes cry when I think about it.
Facts:
An estimated 15 percent of U.S. children will experience sexual misconduct perpetrated by a school employee. Teaching Tolerance provides tools and strategies to help end the abuse.
One out of five girls and nearly one out of 10 boys will be sexually abused by a school employee at some point during their academic careers.
Abusers are almost always men and often are popular among students and other school staff. They're typically teachers or coaches, but can be teacher's aides, bus drivers, volunteers, counselors or principals.
(Segments from: http://www.tolerance.org/activity/facts-about-sexual-misconduct)
(Segments from: http://www.tolerance.org/activity/facts-about-sexual-misconduct)