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