Kids and Sex and Teachers

First off, no this is not another post about staying away from your students.  It IS a post about a new study that has implications for your interactions with your students.  

The journal of Sexual Health, as reported by Salon.com, surveyed adults to determine how they define sex.  It turns out there is little concensus on what acts are included when you use the term "sex." It's fascinating and a little baffling, especially the 95% number (you'll have to read the article yourself to find out what 95% percent say - and what 5% DON'T).  

As the Salon article points out, the results are important because they have implications for how we talk about sex with each other and, in the case of educators, with students.  Teenagers in particular are already very good at being as literal as possible when you give them rules or instructions, so if you have reason to talk about sexual behavior with students, or anyone else for that matter, it's vitally important to know that we don't all share the same definition for the word "sex."

And in the interest of clarity, I'll just say that intimate contact between a teacher and student is always inappropriate and usually illegal, no matter what word you use to describe it. 

Comments

[TS]

"And in the interest of clarity, I'll just say that intimate contact between a teacher and student is always inappropriate and usually illegal, no matter what word you use to describe it."

Teacher-Student relationships are a lot like psychologist-patient relationships. People are sometimes easily attracted the person in the position be that because of power, or kindness, understanding and compassion. But it is always the person in authority responsibility to keep that relationship professional, to not let anything inappropriate happen. I think a good rule of thumb for teachers, especially now days, would be to never have a closed door meeting with a student alone. This protects the student and the teacher in the event that the student makes any accusations that may or may not be unfounded.

[North Face Sale]

If a child tells you and you neglect the law, you are open to so many legal battles, you should open your text book as your cold dark heart failed this one!!!