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From older male teachers caught with teenage girls to “20-something” female teachers found with teenage boys, teacher-student relationships are seen across the nation and West Texas is no exception. But why do established professionals decide to risk it all and break the law? Student-teacher relationships have been uncovered within the last two years from Midland, to McCamey to Odessa. They are relationships similar to those popping up across the country. “I’m seeing this as a nationwide phenomenon that’s over all areas, whether it’s academics or professional business”, says Suzanne Rathbun of the UTPB Psychology Department. She explains how some research indicates that for girls, the virtual world can quickly become a “hands on” reality. “They become emotionally attached when they’re texting and doing Internet. So when they actually meet, whether it’s a dating service or someone like a teacher, the relationship becomes much more physical, much, much faster”, says Rathbun. Following the Mary Kay Letourneau arrest and the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal of the 1990s, Ms. Rathbun believes student-teacher and boss-secretary style relationships are on the rise. [Beau] Why do you think people do that? “Well, if we knew that we’d be rich, first of all. I don’t know. It’s in the media today. Everyone from the president on down has been there and continues to be there and what goes through their mind, I don’t know”, says Rathbun. Because student-teacher relationships often appear to be …
