On Feb 2, 2007, at 3:27 PM, new.morning wrote:
--- 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.
\
Two memories stick in my mind. One was one of the "girls" Swami Rama
screwed with. I say "girl" because this young woman was the epitome
of innocence and mildness. And it was as if she was "shattered", some
part of her, from the incidents. Innocence shattered.
The other was one of the stories from the sexie sadie file which
comes from one of my closest friends. Right after he found out--he
was floored, almost "shocky". When he came around he wanted all the
teachers to know in our area, so we went to the local potluck and he
told them. I'll never ever, ever forget the looks on the faces of the
initiators when we told them. It was total outright denial--just a
flat, ignorant affect--as if they were pretending (or something
superimposed on them was pretending) they had not heard one word.
