Pimples, Perverts, and Politicians
By Lee Culpepper (12/11/07)
After sexually molesting her 13-year-old student, 25-year-old middle school teacher Kelsey Peterson deported the illegally immigrated kid to Mexico. Peterson left the boy marooned south of the border when officials hauled her off to the local jail.
We now know that Peterson’s victim is an alleged gang member and father of a two-year-old child. One judge from the hoodlum’s past has described the boy as an “uncontrollable juvenile.” Peterson’s attorney, Jim Davis, also claims “the young man” is 16 years old, not 13. Moreover, the attorney suggests the teen is not a victim, but instead the aggressor who groomed the relationship.
Not surprisingly, Mexico wasted little time ejecting the child-molesting teacher from their country. Conversely, America will likely reward the illegally immigrated gang member. He and his family will probably receive American citizenship in exchange for the little thug’s testimony through the new “U” visa, which Congress passed to encourage illegal aliens to become victims of crimes.
Have we ever heard of a teacher-student sexcapade that did not strike us as jarringly bizarre?
When the crimes involve male teachers molesting adolescent females, we are all understandably repulsed by the details – no matter how handsome the felonious derelicts might be. However, when the molesting teachers are voluptuous women, some in society (Peterson’s attorney for example) question whether their victims are victims at all.
In Peterson’s case, however, the teacher does not enjoy the come-hither looks of a glamour model. As a result, the sultry details of her crime yielded quickly to the illegal immigration status of the unruly urchin that she molested.
On the other hand, the raunchy story of a sensuous-female teacher devouring one of her striplings always prescribes us an overdose of soft-porn news coverage. Some men openly declare that they wish they could have been so “lucky.” Meanwhile, debates flare up regarding whether the boys have suffered any physical or psychological harm -- particularly when the child-molesting teacher looks like the notorious Debra Lafave.
News producers and editors also devote significant coverage to discussing what makes these deranged and attention-needy women become sexually entangled with underage boys. But regardless of any logical answers concerning the women’s lustful actions, whatever deviant sexual arousal an adult woman could possibly receive from degrading herself with a pimple-farming teenage kid should make any mentally balanced person want to vomit.
As if these stories are not disturbing enough, why doesn’t anyone ever addresses how these relationships are likely to affect the boys’ perceptions of other women in society – and particularly women with authoritative or leadership roles?
The selfish and needy teachers who seduce these boys couldn’t care less about the serious responsibilities of leadership. However, it is naïve to assert that their lack of character and self-discipline does not harm these kids or society. That people have foolish carnal fantasies is simply the curse of being human. However, pursuing such fantasies ruins lives every day. Consider how many lives are damaged by extra-marital affairs. Then consider how often the female teachers who molest these immature, foolish, and hormone-driven boys are married and have children themselves. What will these boys think when they are mature enough to grasp the devastation caused to others by the selfish betrayal of a teacher entrusted with their mental, physical, and moral welfare? Surely the older teens will also realize eventually that their own irresponsible decisions contributed to destroying a family – maybe even their own.
For each teacher who gets caught, how many cases go undetected or unreported? Every time these teachers escape justice or merely receive a slap on the wrist and wink for being “victims of their own good looks,” the idea that sex is merely a conquest for men is enforced in boys’ minds. And if the female happens to be an immediate superior, well, she just makes a bigger trophy.
Respect for authority has deteriorated in our society. But when teachers and parents behave like children’s peers, as opposed to their leaders, why are we surprised? Many teachers and parents have fallen victim to the toxic effects of the self-esteem agenda, which targets today’s youth. Wanting to be popular and worrying about hurting other people’s feelings (or making them mad) cripple one’s ability to lead.
Leadership is not a popularity contest; it is an obligation to inspire others to do what is in their best interest. Selflessness and integrity are required. While good leaders are often friendly, they skillfully avoid obscuring the authoritative line between leadership and friendship.
When female teachers molest teenage boys, they tarnish boys’ respect for other females in society -- especially female leaders. How many fathers of daughters still want to joke about these teachers when men actually consider the message learned about women and daughters?
Doesn’t tolerating these teachers’ betrayal of trust and excusing them as victims of pubescent boys’ desires merely lower the expectations of female leadership?
If these women continue escaping the maximum punishments under the law, we shouldn’t find it unexpected when a female presidential candidate is portrayed as the bullied victim of male aggression during her campaign. Then again, are our expectations for leadership truly equal when it comes down to gender? Apparently, Senator Clinton and her campaign staff don’t think so.
Lee Culpepper
http://leeculpepper.com/
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