--- In [email protected], Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I think in the style of abuse we're talking about here, what > distinguishes it as abnormal is a power disparity between the two > parties and less the age disparity--although age to certain extent > plays into it if you assume some naivete on the part of the younger > "victim". In that sense power disparity (or even *perceived* power > disparity) together with the naivete of youth could be potent factor > for an old "lecher's" success.
Power abuse has always been "the" issue for me. Though its not cyrstal clear what is abuse among consenting adults. In pure power plays, I would postulate that "hard come ons" by a Bevan or John H., if done as alleged, was more a power abuse than MMY with a J. But I suppose a case could be made either way. I have read a variety of accounts, of various teachers, and see how some students were quite messed up by the relation. OTOH, I have heard of, and can hypothesize, situations where both parties are happy with the relationship. \ So I don't think power and abuse are necesarily inherent in a teacher student relation. Though it doesn't seem to be a stable or productive for organizational cohesion.
