Why are student - staff relationships inappropriate?This is from a completely different forum, but seems to be most applicable here. The circumstances that predate this posting were a so-called guru who persuaded an employee/follower to engage in a three year affair. The shit hit the fan eventually, and it turns out the young woman really hadn't wanted this after all, but was brainwashed into it due in part to the 30 year age difference, the disparity in power (guru/follower), not to mention other influences as well... At the time of this writing, former follower/student was in a very precarious state psychologically, contemplating suicide. The book this poster is paraphrasing (author Dr. Peter Rutter) has to do with inappropriate relationships between therapist and patient, primarily.
Amazon LINK for book description=================================
LINK to topica listRutter takes the position that a "forbidden zone always exists in the relationship between doctor and patient, therapist and client, clergyman and congregant, lawyer and client, teacher and student. All of these professions carry a special trust not to abuse the seen or unseen dependent elements that inevitably develop." Because of the greater power of the professional, the client is unable to give truly informed consent, and it is thus the responsibility of the person in the more powerful position to control the necessary boundary between the two parties.
"Amorous relationships that might be appropriate in other circumstances are always wrong when they occur between any teacher or officer and any student for whom he or she has a professional responsibility. Further, such relationships may have the effect of undermining the atmosphere of trust on which the educational process depends. Implicit in the idea of professionalism is the recognition by those in positions of authority that in their relationships with students there is always an element of power. It is incumbent upon those with authority not to abuse, nor seem to abuse, the power with which they are entrusted."
The gender relationship between student and teacher is itself a risk factor, just given the sheer probability of an erotic attraction. There are a number of factors that could reflect a psychological vulnerability on the part of the student, such as low self-esteem, a need for authority, a pattern of repeated victimization, or difficulties with a personal relationship. "Transference" issues can come up in a close mentoring relationship just as readily as in a therapeutic relationship. For example, a student may see her teacher as the kind of father she wished she had.
There are risk factors for the teacher as well. As with therapists, we sometimes see a pattern of predatory sexism related to a characterological impairment. This may be reflected in a series of repeated relationships, or deliberate manipulation of a professional relationship to meet personal needs. Attempts by the student to terminate the disturbing aspects of such a relationship often result in either intimidation or dependent, demanding entreaties on the part of the professional.
Sexual abuse is defined by the forcing of undesired sexual acts by one person to another. Different types of sexual abuse involve: Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior such as rape. Psychological forms of abuse, such as verbal sexual behavior.
The use of a position of trust for sexual purposes. Position of trust is a legal term used in the U.K, the U.S, Canada, and perhaps other countries. It refers to a position of authority over another person or within an organization. Crimes committed by a person in a position of trust may be penalized more severely under the law.
