Are student-teacher relationships really that common?

Question

I see a lot of student-teacher intimate relationships recently, especially in high schools and sometimes in universities. Is it really that common?

princess · Accepted Answer

If we're talking about romantic or inappropriate relationships between students and teachers, that's a whole different kettle of fish, and thankfully, it's not common and is generally frowned upon for a whole bunch of ethical and legal reasons.

Now, if we're talking about healthy, professional, and mentor-like relationships between students and teachers, that's a different story. These kinds of relationships are pretty common and super important. It's like having a coach in the game of education.

Teachers who connect with their students on a level that goes beyond just the subject matter can really inspire and motivate. They can become role models, mentors, and even lifelong contacts. It’s kind of like that favorite teacher from a movie or a book who not only teaches the curriculum but also life lessons.

In terms of romantic or inappropriate relationships, most schools and educational institutions have strict policies against this. It's about protecting the power dynamic – students are in a more vulnerable position, and it's up to the teacher to maintain a professional boundary.

So, in summary, healthy, mentor-like student-teacher relationships? Pretty common and super beneficial. Inappropriate relationships? Not common, and for good reason – they're a serious breach of trust and professionalism.

DarkCarousel · Accepted Answer

I don’t think they are  that  common. I could be wrong. Even creeps can go undetected with a clean background check.  I think it’s more common in college.  I had a crush on my high school history teacher but it never crossed my mind to try to form a sexual relationship with him. He was a teacher and adult and therefor off limits. Luckily he wasn’t a creep.

DaveJord · Accepted Answer

I had a highschool teacher of my, who was in his forties, and he was married to a 20-year-old. She was former student... like less than or two from her graduating highschool, they were married. So you can only assume what the rumors where.

But truth is she was a former student that he immediately started dating the second she graduated highs school. But I when to large school, well over 80 faculty members. So how common was it?

Rare, very rare. But this guy teacher was foot coach, and he taught life skills class. Things like how to manage a check book, sign up for utilities, apply to colleges, what majors to take if you wanted to have career in basket weaving, and things like that. It was like a bullshit class every sophomore had to take for one semester.

So, the guy was mostly full of shit and was power tripping MF.

Summeroflove · Accepted Answer

It happens a lot more than people think. But most teachers are wonderful people. Unfortunately there are predators who get into the profession for the wrong reasons or maybe start off on the right track but somewhere along the way fall to temptation.

It’s hard to tell how many there is. Because we don’t know what people have done if they haven’t been caught.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

They are forbidden by most institutions' rules for its instructional staff, and quite illegal if the student is under age 18, so most people try to keep such relationships secret. That means that it is impossible to know their true prevalence. As @avicenna observed, they are much more common and accepted when the student is in a Masters, Ph. D., or other graduate program.

Avicenna · Answer

They are very rare at the high school level, but somewhat more common at the university level, especially among graduate students.

RingOfFire · Answer

As common as fleas on dogs I think. While it is almost always an ethical violation it is also in many cases a crime when a teacher has a sexual relationship with an underage child. It's been going on as long as I can remember and probably way before I was born. But I think it is only in maybe the last 30 years or so that you hear much about it in the news. Before that it was kept quiet.

When I was in High School there was at least one teacher having a relationship with a girl in my class and everyone knew about it. Someone I know well told me about another girl who was having an affair with another teacher in the school.

So yes, I would guess it has to be very common.

KrisKris81 · Answer

Yes. I can guarantee you that several of my professors were trying to get with the younger girls. Though, the girls were probably toying with, or using them, to ensure a passing grade. When you are constantly in that environment I'm sure someone who is single would find it hard to resist that temptation until they had given in to it a few times. Though at least one of those professors was married

Benjiman19 · Answer

A few years ago I heard about a middle school girl and her teacher having sex in the teachers bathroom. Apparently it was consentual but her parents obviously didn't take it that way. I don't know the names of the teacher or student. Just heard from my little sister that she was in the same class as her.

Sasha0426 · Answer

I mostly heard about teachers having sex with their students that were minors. But, as far as consenting adult relationships between students and teachers, I haven’t heard anything. Not saying they don’t exist but a lot cases were about teachers who were pedophiles.

ItsBodieBrah · Answer

Um if they were we wouldn’t know because teachers aren’t stupid. They are more common between old creepy guy professors and young college girls but the whole idea of young guy and milf teacher is just a made up kink

sage2021 · Answer

I don't see why everyone that has answered so far (except one) says it's just sex. My brother was a teacher and married one of his students and they have a cute baby girl now.

katiesmuff · Answer

When you put the number of these relationships we hear about against our total population it becomes barely a pin prick. That said No I do not think they are that common.

Anonymous · Answer

One time a teacher kissed my friend ON HER CHEEK when they were accidentally alone outside the locker room. I hope my friend was joking or lying but she wasn’t.
How do I believe her? She knew our teacher is flirty and young, new. He liked to pick on her in the class and she knew he had a thing for her. She played it cool just so she can get good grades in his class. He teaches Biology

Kaneki05 · Answer

Eh I don't think they are. If they were I would think 1 of out 6 highschools here would of had some news about something but nah. The idea is more popular than actual happenings.

americana · Answer

I am a high school math teacher and I have not had this happen before. This is my 10th year teaching and I have never had a colleague. Be accused of this before either.

Hannajenky · Answer

I had an affair with my high school English teacher but he was married. It was weird and dumb of me but I thought I was being sophisticated. This is anecdotal I don’t know how common it is.

Fireguy17 · Answer

Probably more than you think.

There are young teachers, and many students are 18 so while it isn't the best idea, it happens.

At a college students are even older, but again it is probably frowned upon.

IslaTheWitch · Answer

My uncle was a math teacher in the high-school. He married one of his students after she finished the school. :D 20 years of age difference.

boggboss · Answer

They are not common as most are illigal or better yet a breach of the working contract

Anonymous · Answer

I’ve seen it happen, its more predatory, coercion, and grooming. I’ve only seen it happen once in HS, where they stayed and build a family together.
From College it’s fine, below that, it’s grossed and inappropriate for me to imagine.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Common in high-school? Is this a joke? In the United States every instance of that is a public scandal.

exitseven · Answer

It is more common in college. When I as in college it was not uncommon for a girl to bang a professor to get a good grade. I bet it is even more common.

Staximus · Answer

Two girls from my high school married teachers from our school a couple years after graduating, and the girl who was the vice principal's student assistant for a couple years ended up suspiciously pregnant her senior year

Are student-teacher relationships really that common?

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