Poll: Student Dating Teacher

[Zen Toombs]

Is it wrong for a teacher at a University to date an ex-student?

While I'm of the opinion that being involved with a student while being their teacher is a conflict of interest, I'm not so sure that it would be the same for a person who is a college teacher and a person who is a college student (even if the student used to be in the teacher's class). My thought is that everyone involved is a consenting adult, so why not?

But I'm a mite eccentric. So Escapists, what are your thoughts?

 

[dyre]

Didn't Eddie Murphy do it in The Nutty Professor?

Nah, it's not wrong to do that.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Is it wrong for a teacher at a University to date an ex-student?

And thus it should be absolutely fine.

 

[Strain42]

Ex-student? No, not at all. No problems there. In fact I fancy a professor at my school. As soon as I finish this semester, I'm totally asking her out on a date. I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't at least go for it.

I understand the taboo and the rules that (most) schools have regarding teachers and current students dating, because even if you don't want it to, it can get messy.

 

[tendaji]

If they are still a student, then there is absolutely a problem with it. Students could end up getting extra attention, as well as answers for tests and quizzes from the teacher.

Now for ex-students it is perfectly fine to have a relationship with a student who has graduated from the school, and is no longer attending.

 

[Korolev]

It's no illegal... provided that the relationship started only after the student left the university or was no longer involved with the university.

Doctors are in a similar situation - they are told that they cannot have relationships with patients, and that's a very good rule. However, if you are a small town doctor, you might be the ONLY doctor in town, and the entire town can be seen as Patients. In those cases, you can start relationships, but you cannot start them with anyone who is a current patient and anyone you start a relationship with cannot continue to visit you as a patient.

Same thing applies with university/educational staff: Relationships between students and teachers are forbidden, and for good reason. Once the teacher-student relationship ends, there is no legal obstacle to a relationship between the two.

On a personal level, I'd be a little creeped out by a teacher dating a former student, but on the whole it's not grossly immoral or illegal. In fact, from a morality standpoint, there isn't really THAT much wrong with it.

I would also take a dim view on any teacher-student relationship even if the student is not in the teacher's class, since it's just an inappropriate thing. Even if they aren't in the class, they are still staff and student, and there should be a strictly professional relationship between student and staff. I wouldn't even let friendships go on between staff and students.

 

[Zen Toombs]

Park your man sausage into her love nest

That was glorious. And I'm amused by the couple of people who seem to assume that I'm talking about m'self.