| The plethora of female teachers charged with | | | | But for women, it's not about the sex, but |
| sexual misconduct with their male students is | | | | rather the romance. It's more of a need to be |
| now such a common news headline that | | | | desired, to have someone find them attractive |
| playwright Linda Felton Steinbaum was | | | | and the need for attention," Krop said in a |
| compelled to write her new play, Mustang | | | | Gainsville Sun article of 11-17-2005. |
| Sally, which addresses the intriguing | | | | |
| similarities of the families of the | | | | "Though the dynamics for female vs. male |
| perpetrators. "To say these families are | | | | offenders are different, it's still a crime |
| dysfunctional is an understatement," says | | | | if the boy is underage, even if the sex is |
| Linda. "And so many of them! It's shocking | | | | consensual," says Ms. Steinbaum. "Boys are |
| how young the majority of the victims are. | | | | often confused by messages they see in |
| Most assume that if a female teacher finds | | | | movies, TV and the media. They get the |
| herself in an inappropriate relationship with | | | | repetitive message that if they are presented |
| an underage boy, he must be very mature and | | | | with an opportunity to have sex, they are |
| manly. Not so. Almost fifty percent of these | | | | somehow required to comply to prove their |
| boys are 13 or younger." | | | | masculinity. This is even more confusing if |
| | | | the offer comes from a woman in authority." |
| Listed here are just a few of the cases that | | | | |
| have garnered the media's attention; Joan | | | | Krop agrees. He says, "A sexual relationship |
| Marie Sladky with a 16-year old, Lakina | | | | with an older woman also causes long-term |
| Stutts, age 40 with a 14 year old student, | | | | problems for the young (male) victim. These |
| Deana Bobo 37, sex with 14 year old, Bethany | | | | victims tend to have more psychological |
| Sherrill 24 with 14 year old, Susan Eble 35 | | | | damage than young girls," Krop said. "They |
| -- 14 year old, Tara Lynn Crisp 29 -- 14 year | | | | have boundary issues and intimacy problems. |
| old, Debra LaFave with a 14 year old boy, | | | | They are usually vulnerable and women look |
| Kelly Lynn Dalecki 28 with 13 year old boy, | | | | for that." |
| Sherry Brians 41-- with a 12 year old, Pamela | | | | |
| Turner 27 -- 13 year old boy, Mary Kay | | | | "We need to protect our sons as well as our |
| Letourneau was 34 when she had sex with a 12 | | | | daughters," says Linda. "It disturbs me that |
| year old, Carol Flannigan 50 -- 11 year old | | | | this can be so easily dismissed by society, |
| former student - and we dare not leave out | | | | especially because it's happening more often |
| Laura Lynn Findlay who pleaded guilty to 22 | | | | than you might think. School boards need to |
| counts of criminal sexual activity with 8th | | | | put serious deterrents in place to discourage |
| grade band students (that makes them all | | | | other female teachers who might find |
| around age 13)! The list seems endless - all | | | | themselves 'drawn' to their young male |
| were teachers. | | | | students." |
| | | | |
| Linda studied the family structure of female | | | | Top theatrical director Arturo Castillo has |
| teachers who find themselves involved in | | | | been secured to lead the world premiere |
| sexual misconduct (statutory rape) with their | | | | production of Mustang Sally. Arturo has |
| male students. According to Harry Krop, a | | | | directed in many large Equity venues |
| licensed psychologist in Gainesville, FL, | | | | including the National Theatre in London. We |
| "The motivation for adult women who form a | | | | are very excited to have a director of |
| sexual relationship with boys is different | | | | Arturo's caliber committed to this |
| than men who develop relationships with | | | | production. I have worked with Arturo before |
| girls. Men who have sex with girls tend to | | | | and, like me, he is most excited about new |
| have sexual disorders, such as pedophilia. | | | | theatrical pieces that have a timely message. |