Watched Dateline on NBC last night. They had a blond pretty 24 year old teacher who seduced her 14 year old male student. She claimed to be raped when she was 13 years old and suffered from bipolar disease.
She got two years house arrest and three years probation.
If the teacher had been male and the student female, how many years would he have gotten.
In addition, the blond bimbo will not be registered as a sex offender.

This story has been repeated many times recently. Why is it the woman will never be classified as a pedophile (which is what she is) and the teenaged boy will never be classified as a victim (which is what he is).

the blond bimbo will not be registered as a sex offender.

Hi statsman,

An article on Orbit News yesterday insisted that she would be on the sex offender's register for life. Don't know if it is right though.

I think there is a fundamental difference between a girl being seduced by an older man and a boy being seduced by an older woman. I don't know what it is, but it just 'feels' different.

I also think that it gets weirder and seedier the larger the age gap. A young teacher and a precocious teenager might not look that odd together, but put a mid thirties teacher (of either sex) beside a teenager and you would instinctively feel something was wrong.

Having said that, this woman was in a position of trust and she blatantly failed to live up to the standards required. In this case, I suppose that the judge bought the defence story of bi-polar disorder and her own childhood rape. Without having followed the story closely, I can't see how either of those things are relevant and don't really provide an excuse in my eyes.

I would have thought that being bipolar is not compatible with being a teacher unless you are on the medication. Even then, I wouldn't be very happy with a teacher with the inherent possibility of being unstable being in loco parentis of my children. Apologies to anybody reading this with bi-polar disorder, or anything similar - this isn't an attack, just a parent's fears.

And finally, we come to her behaviour post conviction. No apparent shame or remorse, freely giving interviews. This woman does not appear to think she did anything wrong, or if she does, that it is somehow not her fault.

She is a strange woman, and she got off very lightly in my opinion.

In a recent case in the UK a woman was imprisoned for something similar (I can't recall any details right now).

She got off easy, she should be in jail and she should have to register as a sex offender, in my opinion. Statutory rape should be handled the same way regardless of the victim's (or offender's) gender.

I agree, I see no difference between a man and child or a woman and child. A child is a child, regardless of sex and should be treated as sexless until such a time that they are deemed legally capable of understanding the consequences of their actions and legally able to consent to having sex. The federal court says that age is 18, although it may be true that some are capable earlier and some not at all, such as the teacher. It doesn't make them any less or more liable for those consequences. She definitely took advantage of her position, regardless of what the child wanted. When he grows up, he may not feel the same way.

I think it's a sad double standard world we live in today where this can happen. One of my friends was attempted rape, all the way to drugs being placed in his drink. He resisted and actually tried to file a police report, they laughed about it when they saw a picture of this girl (she was rather pretty), but let him file a report. Do you think they would laugh if the situation was reversed?

I thought topics of a serious nature had been banned in this forum, what's changed?:confused:

I thought topics of a serious nature had been banned in this forum, what's changed?:confused:
Not sure - apart from a new moderator, maybe its a "honeymoon" period for him. I'm sure things will be normal again soon.

We had a gorgeous French teacher when I was 14 and I can assure you we all fantasised about being seduced by her. Chance would have been a fine thing:rolleyes:

In our school if it had happened, you would have been elevated to hero status at managing to pull a bird like that. Most kids of that age brag about a quick grope behind the bike sheds.

Col

Not sure - apart from a new moderator, maybe its a "honeymoon" period for him. I'm sure things will be normal again soon.

We had a gorgeous French teacher when I was 14 and I can assure you we all fantasised about being seduced by her. Chance would have been a fine thing:rolleyes:

In our school if it had happened, you would have been elevated to hero status at managing to pull a bird like that. Most kids of that age brag about a quick grope behind the bike sheds.

Col
Well yes since the thread hasn't been deleted or locked one must assume that topics of this nature are back on the agenda, I wonder what's changed?:confused:
Back to the subject and the can of worms it's opened I find it strange that a society doesn't see the under 18s as being capable of deciding for themselves whether they can or can't have sex and yet they can go and die for their country at an earlier age, strange:confused:

CORRECTION

Yes, she will be listed as a sex offender. My apologies.

The federal court says that age is 18,
and just how many 18 year olds have not had sex? not many I'll bet.

When he grows up, he may not feel the same way.
He'll lunch out on that story for many a year though;)

In the UK, a survey found that amongst 14 to 15 year olds, 31% of girls have had sex.
85% of girls drank alcohol on a regular basis.
1 in 5 girls smoke cannabis

Professor Colin Pritchard, who led the research, said: 'Girls now significantly smoke and binge-drink more than boys. They truant, steal and fight at similar rates, and start under-age sex earlier than boys.'

ref (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=386874&in_page_id=1770)

Col

The age of consent in the US varies from state to state (and can depend on the age of the partner), but I don't think it is ever as high as 18. 16 is more typical.

I see no reason why someone with BPD couldn't be a teacher, depending on how well it is controlled. I've a feeling that's just an excuse in her case - it's the same excuse LeToureau's lawyer used for her (but in her case it's true - she's BSC).

This woman - I can see how people think she's hot but there's something odd about the way she looks.

...
This woman - I can see how people think she's hot but there's something odd about the way she looks.

You have me curious now - What's her name? Think I can google image her name?

Her name is Debra Lafave. I just did a google image search, and it returns a lot of results.

The age of consent in the US varies from state to state (and can depend on the age of the partner), but I don't think it is ever as high as 18. 16 is more typical.

I see no reason why someone with BPD couldn't be a teacher, depending on how well it is controlled. I've a feeling that's just an excuse in her case - it's the same excuse LeToureau's lawyer used for her (but in her case it's true - she's BSC).

This woman - I can see how people think she's hot but there's something odd about the way she looks.

Most states have age ranges that find it acceptable. For example, here in Florida, if you are between the ages of 18-24, you can have relations with someone 16 or older without consequence. If you are 25, it becomes a misdemeanor to have relations with anyone between 16 and 17. If they are under 16, then it's a felony.

Back to the subject and the can of worms it's opened I find it strange that a society doesn't see the under 18s as being capable of deciding for themselves whether they can or can't have sex and yet they can go and die for their country at an earlier age, strange

The military doesn't want people old enough (therefore experienced enough) to "know better." Why do you suppose that some of the graveyard humor about young soldiers includes the tasteless - but sadly accurate - nickname "cannon fodder" ???

So OF COURSE they will take volunteers under the "age of consent."

As to why females raping males is treated differently, some guys just see it differently... imagine this scene: A pimply-faced teen-aged guy telliing his friends in a voice filled with bravado, "She was so hot she couldn't keep her hands off me." And imagine six other teen-aged guys say, "Awww, you lucky stiff. Wish it had been me!" I'll bet that at least SOME of the issue is not a differential in rate but a differential in reporting. I.e. girls report; boys brag.

Not all boys react this way, and it doesn't lessen the inappropriateness of the behavior in any case, but to some boys it is the realization of a hormone-induced fantasy that approaches recurring daydream status. I know that I would have jumped the bones of my accordian teacher back when I was in my mid-teen years. She was pretty, talented, and friendly. Great legs, slim figure, curly dark hair.... pardon me while I wipe off my keyboard. :eek:

...pardon me while I wipe off my keyboard. :eek:

TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI TMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I didn't know topics like this had been banished from the Watercooler.

My fault for missing meetings.

Sorry, I didn't know topics like this had been banished from the Watercooler.

My fault for missing meetings.

They haven't been. Some people are just a little sensitive because the rest of us are tired of hearing about GWB and how bad Americans are. ;)

Tof hearing about GWB and
and we're tired of hearing him!:mad: :p

The age of consent in the US varies from state to state (and can depend on the age of the partner

Taking into account the age of the 'perp' seems eminently sensible to me. On the news article I saw, the lawyer interviewed claimed that a boy at the age of consent (I think it was 18) was prosecuted for statutory rape of a consenting girl of 16 on pressure from the girl's parents. He was convicted and will be listed on the sex offender's register for life. Doesn't seem very fair, but then the legal system is not always about justice.

I see no reason why someone with BPD couldn't be a teacher, depending on how well it is controlled.

In principal I agree with you, but still wouldn't be comfortable as a parent. In this woman's case, assuming for a second there is any truth in her bi-polar disorder (which is very suspect), it seems that it wasn't manageable. I suppose, at the very least, the school management should have been informed of a relevant medical condition so that they could more closely. I suspect that various anti discrimination laws would prevent them firing a teacher for admitting this.

I can see how people think she's hot but there's something odd about the way she looks.

I didn't think she was hot. Her hair was very blond, but there was something immobile about her face, and emotionless. Like maybe she had had way too much Botox or something. She may have been on medication. She certainly did not come across as 'normal' and maybe this is why the judge bought her defence?

Court has nothing to do with justice. Court is about the law. Justice is just an occasional by-product.

Court has nothing to do with justice. Court is about the law. Justice is just an occasional by-product.

From my studious watchng of American televsion shows (Law & Order etc) and reading various reports in The Economist, the link seems to be very weak over there. I don't know how much better it is in the UK, but any disconect is not so obvious.

In my current locale, Justice & the legal system are so loosely linked that there is little point in contemplating the 2 in the same thought.

The problem with the court system is that ordinary folks like us keep using terms like "fair" and "justice".
Fair and just are subjective terms.
I was only parked there for a moment so it was unfair I got a ticket.
The Officer who gave you the ticket thinks its totally fair he gave it to...otherwise he wouldn't have written it out.

What we are stuck with is the law. There's a law against parking your car there so you got a ticket.

Women CAN be Pedophiles!!!

Women CAN be Pedophiles!!!

Thanks for the info! :D

Thanks for the info! :D
lol..u welcome

OK, time to clarify something: pedophilia has absolutely nothing to do with this case. Pedophilia is sexual attraction to prepubescent children, not people under the age of consent. At age 14, 97% of boys are well into the final stages of puberty; they have pubic and body hair, they have adult-proportioned genitalia, they can be aroused and father children. They may be young-looking and not fully developed, but they have well-defined masculine qualities. Pedophiles, on the other hand, are attracted to children who have not reached a level of development where they have developed defined masculine or feminine qualities.

Or to put it another way, this woman's problem is not with her sex drive but with her judgement.

....and why is this in the Watercooler? Perhaps Ken will use his illustrious new powers to enforce the differentiation between the 'Cooler and the Politics forums?

....and why is this in the Watercooler? Perhaps Ken will use his illustrious new powers to enforce the differentiation between the 'Cooler and the Politics forums?

I never quite sure why there has to be diffrent forums. I think it was better when there was just one forum for non-technical talk. The tittle of the thread usually gave it away.

I agree, plus - people always hijack the non-access threads anyway so why split them up?

Col

I don't really consider this a political discussion either, but I like having split forums.

I don't really consider this a political discussion either, but I like having split forums.

Me too. Keep the GWB and why America is bad talk over there in the Politics forum. Give us a place over here in the 'cooler to talk about other things. :D

I don't really consider this a political discussion either, but I like having split forums.

We need one more for Jsanders and Rich to slag each other off in peace.:D

Brian

Me too. Keep the GWB and why America is bad talk over there in the Politics forum. Give us a place over here in the 'cooler to talk about other things. :D
You mean talking about American pedophiles here is o.k. though, I thought we were the "evil" ones for daring to discuss anything concerning America :confused:

How about giving J and Rich their own forum.
We'll have it password protected so that only they can get on it.

Of course, J and Rich aren't going to get much work done.

Of course, J and Rich aren't going to get much work done.
J won't get anything done because he's constantly misinformed, Rich on the other hand researches the subject first and frequently posts the results of that research here, even when he's subjected to scorn and derision for doing so :cool: :p

Rich on the other hand researches the subject first and frequently posts the results of that research here, even when he's subjected to scorn and derision for doing so :cool: :p

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American Forum Member: Your powers are weak, old man.
Rich: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

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:cool: