PUBLIC OPINION > The Teacher Who Left His Wife for a Student Made a Big Mistake
SodaHead News
2012/03/06 23:09:23
Every once in a while, "Don't Stand So Close to Me" by The Police hits a little close to home. In the case of James Hooker (41) and Jordan Powers (18), it's just like the song. The girl is less than half his age, and they both seem to be into it. A therapist has gone on record to compare Hooker to a sex offender, calling him "pathologically immature," but similar accusations were made about Doug Hutchison (51) and Courtney Stodden (16) and many observers defended him. Good Morning America took a public poll on this new story. Let's see how people voted.
This one was a little obvious, but the main reason we decided to recap it was to take a look at the demographic breakdowns. But before we get to that, we thought it'd be interesting to dig into the comments attached to "Okay" votes. Most people who let the affair slide were simply unwilling to get involved in the couple's business. Regardless of what may have happened before, she's 18 now and capable of making her own decisions. For his part, quite a few wrote it off as a "mid-life crisis" and predicted a swift end to the relationship, once the reality of the situation sets in. Yes, there were a handful of what you might call "supporters," but they were few and far between. Now, on to the demos...
Men Are More Willing to Consent
As you may have suspected, the male voters were less disturbed by the story. They were more than twice as likely to vote "Okay," with exactly a third of them throwing in for Mr. Hooker. Judging by the comments, female voters were not only more likely to say it's a mistake, but more adamant about it, as well.
As you may have suspected, the male voters were less disturbed by the story. They were more than twice as likely to vote "Okay," with exactly a third of them throwing in for Mr. Hooker. Judging by the comments, female voters were not only more likely to say it's a mistake, but more adamant about it, as well.More Support From His Age Group
We singled out Powers' and Hooker's age groups specifically to find out what their peers might think, and believe it or not, teens and young adults are more likely to criticize the relationship than people closer to the man's age. Strong words in the staff room, perhaps, but not as strong as the words in the classroom.
We singled out Powers' and Hooker's age groups specifically to find out what their peers might think, and believe it or not, teens and young adults are more likely to criticize the relationship than people closer to the man's age. Strong words in the staff room, perhaps, but not as strong as the words in the classroom.Complication Like Company
There wasn't much sympathy in any of the relationship demographics -- certainly not from married voters -- but respondents who listed their relationship as "complicated" did show some. Presumably, it's easier to relate to a complicated emotional attachment when you're involved in one yourself.
There wasn't much sympathy in any of the relationship demographics -- certainly not from married voters -- but respondents who listed their relationship as "complicated" did show some. Presumably, it's easier to relate to a complicated emotional attachment when you're involved in one yourself.If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit Good Morning America's poll about James Hooker and Jordin Powers. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
-
beverly.hargrove 2012/03/06 23:33:21
+14Let's see..Neither have a job. She's gonna get bored with him sooner or later...I vote for sooner. All his friends are his age and she still has friends her age...Heck he may even fool around with her friends since he likes them younger..Not in my top trust catagory.
NOW he doesn't have a job .. the Divorce Settlement is definitely going to go against him (due to shacking up with the girl -- who also doesn't have a job) ..
HER (the girl's Parents) are also pressing law enforcers for investigating if charges can be filed ..
BOTH are going to find things .. well .. rough indeed .. and when you can't pay bills .. guess what happens next .. (oh, don't expect much time to pass to find out there's no .. couple .. anymore .. )
The girl is not yet old enough and wise enough to understand that he has shown that he cannot be trusted.
However if she is 18 then its none of my business.
I think she knows exactly what she's doing. She's just using him to get out from under mom's thumb. I've seen it before, as soon as a young man comes along who can take care of her this guy will be history. Why does everyone assume she is an innocent girl being taken advantage of and not just another conniving woman.
That is the comment I was responding to.
As time goes by ....
She will want to be more active.
He will want to be more sedate.
She will get bored.
He'll become insecure.
She'll cheat.
Payback for robbing the cradle.
What would have been more interesting is if he married his wife who was a widow and she had a daughter, thereby becoming his step daughter. After living several years in the same household and the daughter becomes older in fact 21 years of age, the mother becomes jealous of her daughter, and files for divorce because she is afraid her husband will abandon her for her daughter, and moves out.
And I have to say do not just think males have this situation, because I know personally how in High School, my girl friends mother got me drunk at 15 years old, and raped me. Later having me move into the household and wanting me to be sick so I could not go to School, so she could have her affair.
That was tough for me, because I really was in love with the daughter when I was in high School. I left the household and became a hermit, living away from people. never getting married when I lived in the USA.
Now 54 and still not married. Maybe Mr. Hooker is right! At least he has someone. To be clear...
What would have been more interesting is if he married his wife who was a widow and she had a daughter, thereby becoming his step daughter. After living several years in the same household and the daughter becomes older in fact 21 years of age, the mother becomes jealous of her daughter, and files for divorce because she is afraid her husband will abandon her for her daughter, and moves out.
And I have to say do not just think males have this situation, because I know personally how in High School, my girl friends mother got me drunk at 15 years old, and raped me. Later having me move into the household and wanting me to be sick so I could not go to School, so she could have her affair.
That was tough for me, because I really was in love with the daughter when I was in high School. I left the household and became a hermit, living away from people. never getting married when I lived in the USA.
Now 54 and still not married. Maybe Mr. Hooker is right! At least he has someone. To be clear there is too much pain in Love. Maybe we should be happy he didn't leave his wife for a male student instead.
The only thing I can say for certain is that I dislike that he left his wife for a younger woman. The teacher/student thing is a little odd too, but in the end it depends on how healthy and true their relationship is.