Hot, for teacher: Part II
Earlier this week we talked a bit about Debra Lafave (pictured), the teacher who had an "affair" with a 14-year-old student and who now claims bipolar disorder made her do it. I was skeptical, but it's interesting to note that this isn't the first time the bipolar defense has been used to excuse a female teacher's bad behavior.
In the other case, detailed in the Ocala, Florida, Star-Banner, it sounds as if the teacher, Liesl Oatman, was suffering from some kind of serious mental derangement, hence her use of the insanity defense.
The article makes a more persuasive case for Lafave's illness, but also asks if bipolar disorder can, in fact, be used as a rationale for inappropriate sexual overtures.
Comments
To quote: "Oatman had adopted the teen because he was an illegal immigrant and she wanted him to have scholarship opportunities."
Oatman was only 29, unmarried, unattached. I think the rape was an accident waiting to happen. Or maybe it wasn't an accident. I would question her motives as she wasn't saving him from aliens at that point. Was she taking him in totally on altruistic motives? 1/8 of America needs to be "taken in", after all. I think the waters get muddied there.
Yes, it sounds as if she were psychotic, if the boy is telling the truth. Usually BP1 is psychotic only for a week at a time, and that, after many tell tale mania signs (usually when someone you know sends you to the hospital....). But it could be true. In which case, insanity makes sense to me.
However, with "the blonde", there was no mention of anything that sounded like psychosis, where she may be culpable for her actions,(even though the case was dropped). The hypersexuality of BP can easily enough be channelled approriately unless true and utter psychosis is involved.
But we are human and these things happen. I just wouldn't like BP teachers, priests and scout leaders to commit crimes due to out of control sexuality or mania turned psychotic. Hey, how about better mental health treatment and counseling along the way! And a dose of old school restraint (though I know that didn't always exist, ar, ar).
Posted by: beagles | March 28, 2006 12:26 PM
Debra is hot. Where were those kinds of teachers when I was groing up?!!!
Posted by: Nate | May 26, 2007 05:20 AM