I think when looking at statutory rape, you are looking at the damage being emotional. The minor may willfully consent, but we argue they are too young to know the full ramifications of that consent, leading to further emotional damage in the short or long term. In that regard I think the damage is equal no matter the gender of the minor involved. Where the double standard exist, I believe, is through the physical act. A man can physically force a girl into the act, while a women, while possible, usually cannot do the same. So I believe we immediately feel the minor girl was most likely physically dominated while the minor boy was not. Of course that doesn't cover all of it. There is the societal view of men and women that does make the same crime seem harsher when perpetrated by a man, as well as the "where was that teacher when I was his age" mentality. What degree each factors into it, I don't know.

That's rape, not what we are talking about here. In a case of forced rape, it should be a more severe penalty.

Pregnancy has zero to do with it. I won't simply repeat, verbatim, what BeechwoodFan posted, but I concur. Societally, girls are treated (and held) differently. Right or wrong, it is the way it is. Why do I feel differently when I hear the story? I guess I'm human. I guess I think little girls need to be protected. Maybe I'm old school. Pick one, I'm not sure. I know this, when I was 15, had I been put in this young man's position, I'm not sure I wouldn't have happily gone along with Mrs. Dinkel. That is a hormoneous (sp?) time for young boys.

I agree with both HSSRB and BeechwoodFan. When I was that age, we had a great looking English teacher with a beautiful freshman daughter. Let's just leave it at their were lots of boys fantasies talked up at lunch.

 

Most of the girls that are preyed upon are seeking something other than sex. Some lack fathers. Many of those that do have fathers are emotionally unattached from them. Most of these young girls are trying to fill an emotional need through somebody who seems to care about them. Few of these teacher/female student relationships happen fast. The teacher must cultivate and move the student in the direction he desires. That's what makes this especially heinous.

 

This is true of some male students, but mostly its a machismo thing. They're ego is boosted by the desires of an older woman. Besides, its not hard to find a young man in the right state of mind. If he says no the first time, just wait 8 seconds.

I agree with both HSSRB and BeechwoodFan. When I was that age, we had a great looking English teacher with a beautiful freshman daughter. Let's just leave it at their were lots of boys fantasies talked up at lunch.

 

Most of the girls that are preyed upon are seeking something other than sex. Some lack fathers. Many of those that do have fathers are emotionally unattached from them. Most of these young girls are trying to fill an emotional need through somebody who seems to care about them. Few of these teacher/female student relationships happen fast. The teacher must cultivate and move the student in the direction he desires. That's what makes this especially heinous.

 

This is true of some male students, but mostly its a machismo thing. They're ego is boosted by the desires of an older woman. Besides, its not hard to find a young man in the right state of mind. If he says no the first time, just wait 8 seconds.

And all of this should come into play in the legal system? Again, either it's a crime or it isn't. If this is how we are going to view it, since you're claiming there is no victim here, then why waste the courts time and the tax payers money? Lets just say all boys are fair game.

And all of this should come into play in the legal system? Again, either it's a crime or it isn't. If this is how we are going to view it, since you're claiming there is no victim here, then why waste the courts time and the tax payers money? Lets just say all boys are fair game.

There are always circumstances in play. As the law reads now, there should be no disparity in prosecution. The "hate crime" laws is a perfect example, and one I despise. However, I wouldn't mind seeing gender appropriate laws.

That's rape, not what we are talking about here. In a case of forced rape, it should be a more severe penalty.

 

I know.

 

I'm saying people will immediately associate the physical aspect to a man and girl, or question whether it was indeed statutory and not physical. A lot of people, probably subliminally, feel that it takes much less consent from a girl than it does for a boy. I guess what I'm saying is that we blur the line between statutory and physical when talking about a man and girl while it is wholly statutory when a women and a boy are involved.

Unless your in that position, you don't know do you? You don't know just how it would affect you at 14 or 15, male or female. I've no problem with protecting little girls, but why should we say the heck with the little boys?

Emotions should never come into play in the legal system, period. Either it's a crime or it isn't, it can't be both ways. What BeechwoodFan posted was nice and all, but it has absolutely no place in the courts. A crime is a crime, the punishment should be the same.

 

RTS, you are one of the most intelligent posters on this board, so I can say this with 100% certainty: you are well aware there are a ton of examples where the law is interpreted and not held to a black and white standard. Is it right? Maybe not. Is it fair? Probably not. There are things that happen in enforcing the laws that maybe shouldn't exist (i.e., people with millions of dollars get treated differently, alleged racial profiling complaints in some cities, why one car going 75 gets pulled over while another car right next to them doing 75 don't.....just to name a few) but they do. Should they exist? Maybe, maybe not, depends on your point of view.

 

My PERSONAL opinion is I'm fine with Mrs. Dinkel getting less of a punishment than if it was Mr. Dinkel and a 15 year old girl. Does that make me wrong? Well in your eyes it seems to. However, it seems to put my OPINION in direct step with that of the judges and juries in this country...so at least I'm in good company.

Did you notice how many of these women are in their 20's?

And some are School Teachers.

You've given me a great response to use in the future when I am accused of having a double standard for my boy and girl. And believe me, like you, I will have it. :thumb:

 

Future anticipated conversation:

 

Son: "Dad, how late can I stay out?"

Me: "midnight"

Daughter: "Dad, how late can I stay out?"

Me: "10 pm"

Daughter: "But you let Logan stay out til midnight."

Me: "That's because I am more vigilant concerning the protection of your well-being."

 

 

 

 

 

Daughter: "Whatever"

 

If she is most like teenage girls, my guess is that her response will be to roll her eyes, declare loudly that you are the most unfair father in the world, run upstairs, slam the door, text all her friends telling them what a horrible person you are and then plot about how she is going to put you in a really bad nursing home.

 

How old is she now? If she is under the age of 12, ENJOY THE GLORY YEARS!

 

Actually, it is not all that bad, but there are moments.......

Pregnancy has zero to do with it. I won't simply repeat, verbatim, what BeechwoodFan posted, but I concur. Societally, girls are treated (and held) differently. Right or wrong, it is the way it is. Why do I feel differently when I hear the story? I guess I'm human. I guess I think little girls need to be protected. Maybe I'm old school. Pick one, I'm not sure. I know this, when I was 15, had I been put in this young man's position, I'm not sure I wouldn't have happily gone along with Mrs. Dinkel. That is a hormoneous (sp?) time for young boys.

 

 

Actually, I added the pregnancy issue because it is definately part of the reason that society as a whole is more protective to their girls than boys. This protective attitude is part of the double standard that many have regarding boys and girls. As I said before, I think it is wrong for both ages, but it is more socially acceptable for underaged boys because of this double standard.

RTS, you are one of the most intelligent posters on this board, so I can say this with 100% certainty: you are well aware there are a ton of examples where the law is interpreted and not held to a black and white standard. Is it right? Maybe not. Is it fair? Probably not. There are things that happen in enforcing the laws that maybe shouldn't exist (i.e., people with millions of dollars get treated differently, alleged racial profiling complaints in some cities, why one car going 75 gets pulled over while another car right next to them doing 75 don't.....just to name a few) but they do. Should they exist? Maybe, maybe not, depends on your point of view.

 

My PERSONAL opinion is I'm fine with Mrs. Dinkel getting less of a punishment than if it was Mr. Dinkel and a 15 year old girl. Does that make me wrong? Well in your eyes it seems to. However, it seems to put my OPINION in direct step with that of the judges and juries in this country...so at least I'm in good company.

Thanks for the compliment, I feel the same about you. My problem with the disparity is that a lot of these women get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I don't care what your view is, that's just not right and it makes a mockery of the legal system, as if it needed any help. Would you agree that changes need to be made and women that commit these crimes should have to do more time?

Would you agree that changes need to be made and women that commit these crimes should have to do more time?

 

More time? Maybe. Equal time to male predators on 15 year old girls? No.

More time? Maybe. Equal time to male predators on 15 year old girls? No.

Sigh! Maybe you'd feel different if the 15 year old was your son. Oh well, we aren't going to change each others minds.

Sigh! Maybe you'd feel different if the 15 year old was your son. Oh well, we aren't going to change each others minds.

 

At least you're only sighing...as opposed to throwing something at your monitor. Maybe I would -- but frankly, I doubt it. I do remember being 15 (to be fair, I was never a 15 year old girl), so maybe I wouldn't. I wouldn't be happy, I can promise you that, but I certainly wouldn't want / expect the woman to spend 10 - 20 years in prison.

 

Didn't you see The Graduate? :bunny:

At least you're only sighing...as opposed to throwing something at your monitor. Maybe I would -- but frankly, I doubt it. I do remember being 15 (to be fair, I was never a 15 year old girl), so maybe I wouldn't. I wouldn't be happy, I can promise you that, but I certainly wouldn't want / expect the woman to spend 10 - 20 years in prison.

:thumb: I might even be angrier at my son than the teacher.

 

If the same thing happened to my daughter, the teacher would be a dead man.

:thumb: I might even be angrier at my son than the teacher.

 

If the same thing happened to my daughter, the teacher would be a dead man.

 

 

I agree.

 

If a 20 something year old woman has sex with my 14-17 year old son, there is going to be some serious discussions had.

 

If a 20 something year old man has sex with my 14-17 year old daughter, I am going to prison.

 

In my mind, it is a legitimate double standard.