I saw the news report on this last week and honestly for the people to say it's okay and that they are consenting adults please remember a few facts...
-He has known her since she was 14 since she was his student.
-He says he was just a teacher to her until she was 18 yet any after school activity she was part of he was the teacher for.
-They say nothing sexual started until she was 18 however other students have snapped pictures of her sitting on his lap during class, over 8,000 text messages where sent before her 18th birthday as well as hotel receipts.
-For trying to protect her daughter a mother was almost arrested.
-He left his wife and children, an eldest daughter one year younger than his 'girlfriend'.
Now if you are okay with student/teacher relationships turning into boyfriend/girlfriend relationships do not be surprised or mortified when your son or daughter starts sleeping with their teacher no matter the age! (In other words please have your heads examine!!)
Teacher, 41, Leaves Wife for 18-Y-O Student. Okay? Or Big Mistake?
Good Morning America
2012/03/05 03:37:55
|
|
|||||
|
33,174 votes
|
|
87% | |||
|
4,865 votes
|
|
13% | |||
A 41-year-old former teacher in California left his wife and kids -- and quit his job -- to be with his 18-year-old student, saying he knows that she's "the one." Are James Hooker and Jordan Powers in the right -- or is this all a big mistake?
Top Opinion
-
Beautiful_Syn 2012/03/05 12:22:57
Anyway, If he had been unattached I would have been more on the fence about this one, but I would find it odd that he did not wait until she was 23, which is how old she'd have to be for him to be immune to allegations via statute of limitations. Now he has 5 years during which an accusation could still potentially get him convicted... The student/teacher thing is creepy, but this sort of thing has happened for ages, and we as a society have pretty much left it up to the parents in deciding whether or not it's okay. (A fact I find disturbing on some levels more disturbing than the goings on themselves)
Add to that the fact that he left his wife for her, suddenly it becomes wrong on many different levels. This guy is a creep. He has it out with his wife and takes solace in another woman...That's creepish, but typical. The other woman is one of his students... that's creepish and creepy. Said student is a teenager. That goes into some disturbing territory. Now I refuse to infantilize the girl, and must acknowledge that different girls mature at different rates; however, the lovestruck teacher's pet, is not likely on the precocious side, and the laws are what they are for a reason.
That she is a legal adult now does not mean she was when the relationship began.
The only thing he has done right is resign from teaching.
I'm in Modesto, the bloody town in which this is happening, not to far from the very school, and I can't believe the coverage it's getting. I mean really? Is it even worth all this attention??
She's 18 now, and what happens is HER business; it does not matter if anything ensued before she turned 18. She is an adult NOW, and so long as she consents, this is no one's business but her own.
So News Vans, please stop trying to push your way into Enochs High. Dr. Phil, and all the other big-shot reporters, you are wasting your time. I'm sure there are bigger fish to fry.
And everyone else... COME ON!! How is this news?? It may be shocking, but is it really all THAT surprising??? Everyone is acting like this is the first time a teacher ever got it on with a student; AND THIS ONE IS AN ADULT. If this is a mistake, then just LET her make it; it's not as if she's being forced into this. In fact I don't think ANY other teacher/student affair has gotten this much coverage.
Yeah, I'm not surprised either. Hence why I don't understand all the media coverage. I mean seriously? NO ONE can find a story better than this??
It is not about the age, you do not, fxck your students! In college he would get fired. I don't know what's up with that school allowing open flirting.
You did not read what I wrote and/or do not know what," Authority Figure," means.
authority figure
noun
a person whose real or apparent authority over others inspires or demands obedience and emulation: Parents, teachers, and police officers are traditional authority figures.
It all boils down to this simple fact, is she, or is she not, legally considered an adult? Does she or does she not have the right to vote, assuming responsibility for electing our national leaders? As an adult, is she or is she not considered responsible for her own actions and her own life? This is the law of the land, as determined by people like yourself. The decision was mutual, both parties. Based on the story, we do not have all the facts, you make too many assumptions and chose impose your own prudish values on everyone else. Had you bothered to do your homework you would have found that far from being a kid, I'm old enough to be your father. I've been happily married almost as long as you are old, to the same woman. Perhaps that makes me an "authority figure" also. It took a long time, but I've learned not to judge too harshly, especially before having the whole story. Clips and sound bites are almost always misleading and bring about poor conclusions. Perhaps one day you will reach that level.